HC Deb 01 November 1990 vol 178 cc641-2W
Mr. John Garrett

To ask the Lord President of the Council how many offices in the Palace of Westminster and its outbuildings currently receive a clean feed of proceedings in the House; and who occupies them.

Sir Geoffrey Howe

As indicated in my reply to the hon. Member for Nottingham, North (Mr. Allen) on 27 June at columns232–33, the following offices or rooms within the House and its outbuildings are currently in receipt of a clean television and sound feed from the Chamber: Mr. Speaker's residence; the office of Mr. Speaker's Secretary; the office of the Chairman of Ways and Means; the office of the Supervisor of Broadcasting; and the Press Gallery (within which some broadcasting organisations have made their own separate arrangements). There are, of course, also monitors in each of the Division Lobbies, though these do not carry sound.

In addition, the Votes and Proceedings Office, occupied by staff of the Department of the Clerk of the House, is of free official telephone communication facilities for hon. Members to the institutions of the European Community in Brussels and elsewhere; and when he expects the Services Committee study to be concluded with appropriate recommendations.

Sir Geoffrey Howe

The Services Committee is close to reaching conclusions on the provision of free telephone and postal communications with the main European Community institutions. Early in the new Session decisions are expected on these and other aspects of links with the European Community.

I shall arrange for the House to be informed of the Committee's conclusions.