§ Mr. HoyleTo ask the Chairman of the Administration Committee what arrangements have been put in hand for an induction programme for new hon. Members. [37820]
§ Mr. Michael J. MartinSince 1994, the Administration Committee has initiated or endorsed a number of measures to aid the induction process of new hon. Members. Such measures include:
- (a) supporting the use of the Members' handbook: as announced in my reply of 13 December 1995 to the hon. Member for Denton and Reddish (Mr. Bennett), Official Report, column 659, a revised edition has already been issued, which is also available on the PDVN and on disk;
- (b) inviting the Board of Management to consider further steps to assist in making new hon. Members aware of the procedures of the House and it services: in response, the Board of Management has produced a video which will be issued to all hon. Members newly elected at the forthcoming general election;
- (c) concurring with the Information Committee that the Parliamentary Information Technology Committee be permitted to host an exhibition of IT systems in the Grand Committee Room and the Jubilee Room for new hon. Members: the Communications Directorate, the Department of the Library and the Department of the Official Report will take part in this exhibition;
- (d) endorsing a proposal from the Serjeant at Arms that a temporary reception area be situated in the Upper Waiting Hall after the forthcoming general election to enable new hon. Members and their staff to obtain information and advice on the service provided by his Department.
I know that the Departments of the House will also be making their usual arrangements to make newly elected hon. Members aware of the services that they provide. My 523W hon. Friend may wish to consult the Board of Management or individual heads of Departments directly to ascertain what advice and assistance will be provided.