§ Lord Lamont of Lerwickasked the Chairman of Committees:
Whether Members of the House of Commons who have offices there but have not taken the oath are allowed in any part of the House of Lords. [HL3283]
§ The Chairman of Committees (Lord Tordoff)On 18 December 2001 the House of Commons decided to grant Members who have chosen not to take their seats the right to use the facilities within the precincts of that House. As a result of this decision the Members in question have been issued with security passes by the House of Commons authorities and as pass-holders they enjoy rights of access to large parts of the parliamentary estate, including the public areas of the House of Lords. However, the present situation is without precedent and there is no rule specifically concerning any further rights of access that might be granted to Members of the House of Commons who have not taken their seats. It will be for the Offices Committee to make a recommendation on this matter.