§ Mr. IllsleyTo ask the Chairman of the Catering Committee what rules apply to the booking by hon. Members of catering facilities in the House on behalf of outside organisations; what checks are made on the bona fides of the organisations concerned; what recent changes have been made in the rules; and what recent decisions have been allowing exemption from the rules.
§ Mr. Colin ShepherdThe regulations governing the booking by hon. Members of catering facilities in the House on behalf of outside organisations are set out in a brochure available from the Refreshment Department Banqueting Office or from the Director of Catering Services.
Rooms and facilities may be booked only by Members, Officers of the House and Lords who were formerly 348W Members of the House of Commons, who may act as sponsor of a function on behalf of an outside organisation. In such a case, all responsibility for the function, including the checking of the bona fides, rests with the sponsor. There have been no recent changes in the banqueting rules, and no exception from the rules has been knowingly allowed.
The Catering Committee is to undertake a review of the operation of the Private Dining Facilities early in 1994 and has invited written evidence.