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Members present:
Mrs Marion Roe, in the Chair
Mr David Crausby
Mr Oliver Heald
Dr Nick Palmer
The Committee deliberated.
1. THE OFFICIAL REPORT (ORDER OF CONTENTS)
Resolved, That, notwithstanding the
Committee's Resolution of 9 November, the Committee endorses the Chairman's
decision that the agreed order of contents of the Official Report be
revised as follows; main debates; Westminster Hall debates; and written
answers.—(Mr Oliver Heald.)
2. LINE OF ROUTE (ADM152,
153)
The Committee deliberated further.
3. RECYCLING POLICY (ADM154)
Resolved, That the Committee notes the
paper by the Serjeant at Arms detailing the current arrangements for
the recycling of waste matter collected on the Parliamentary Estate;
and agrees that Dr Palmer pursue his proposals for a comprehensive recycling
policy with the Accommodation and Works Committee.—(The Chairman.)
[Adjourned till Tuesday next at a quarter to Five o'clock.
TUESDAY 7 DECEMBER 1999
Members present:
Mrs Marion Roe, in the Chair
Mr David Crausby
Dr Nick Palmer
The Committee deliberated.
4. THE LINE OF ROUTE
Draft Report proposed by the Chairman, brought
up and read.
[For Minutes of Proceedings relating to the
Report, see First Report from the Administration Committee, Session
1999–2000, HC(1999–2000)98, p. xiii].
5. RETIREMENT OF THE SERJEANT AT ARMS
Resolved, nemine contradicente,
That the Committee notes that, on 31 December, Mr Peter Jennings CVO
will be retiring after twenty-three years' distinguished service to
the House, the last four of which as Serjeant at Arms; thanks him for
all his help and advice to the Committee and to its predecessors; and
wishes him a long, healthy and happy retirement.—(The Chairman.)
[Adjourned till Tuesday 18 January 2000 at Five o'clock.
TUESDAY 18 JANUARY 2000
Members present:
Mrs Marion Roe, in the Chair
Mr Hilton Dawson
Mr Fabian Hamilton
Mr Oliver Heald
Dr Nick Palmer
Mr William Ross
The Committee deliberated.
6. ALL-PARTY PARLIAMENTARY AND ASSOCIATE
PARLIAMENTARY GROUPS (ADM156, 156A and 157)
Resolved, That the Committee
notes the submissions from the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards;
and endorses the proposals that:
— the definition of
"full member" of an All-Party Parliamentary or of an Associate Parliamentary
Group means a member of a Group who has voting rights;
— before it can be
accepted onto the Approved List, a prospective Group must hold an
inaugural meeting to elect its officers, and that the meeting must
be advertised as such on the All-Party Notices; and
— a Group must advise
the Registry of Members' Interests of any change in the information
contained in its Information Sheet and its Register entry within 28
days of such a change occurring.—(The Chairman.)
Resolved, That the Committee
endorses the course of action proposed by the Chairman concerning the
membership of Groups by those hereditary Members of the House of Lords
excluded under the House of Lords Act; and that the matter be further
considered when the views of the relevant authorities of the House of
Lords are known.—(Mr Oliver Heald.)
Resolved, That the Committee
gives further consideration to the matter of verification of qualifying
members of a Group at its next meeting.—(Mr Oliver Heald.)
Resolved, That, later this Parliament,
the Committee do re-examine the question of overlap between different
Groups, in particular to consider whether a formal policy on this matter
be adopted in order to ease the pressure on House facilities caused
by the proliferation of such Groups.—(The Chairman.)
7. FILMING AND PHOTOGRAPHY (ADM158, 159)
Resolved, That the Committee
notes the proposals submitted by the BBC's Chief Political Adviser,
concerning television access points for interviews with Members of the
House, and agrees to the proposals in principle; however, the Committee
is unable to endorse the proposed sites, considering them to be too
intrusive and potentially disruptive to the work of the House, and instead
recommends that, initially, the possibility of converting Interview
Room W5 into a studio be pursued.—(The Chairman.)
Resolved, That the Committee
recommends that the restriction on journalists using handheld dictaphones
in the Press Gallery be lifted.—(The Chairman.)
Ordered, That the Chairman do report
the terms of the aforementioned Resolution to Madam Speaker for her
endorsement; and that, subject to such endorsement, the lifting of the
restriction of tape recording in the Press Gallery do take immediate
effect.—(Mr Oliver Heald.)
Resolved, That the Chairman do report
to the Chairman of Ways and Means, and to the Liaison Committee, the
Committee's concerns over the use of tape recorders by journalists during
meetings of Standing and Select Committees; and that the Chairman do
seek the views of the Chairman of Ways and Means on the implications
of the use of lap-top computers during meetings of Standing Committees
by those Members of the House serving on such Committees.—(Dr
Nick Palmer.)
The Committee deliberated further.
[Adjourned till Tuesday 8 February at Five o'clock.
TUESDAY 8 FEBRUARY 2000
Members present:
Mrs Marion Roe, in the Chair
Mr Mike Hall
Mr Oliver Heald
Mr William Ross
The Committee deliberated.
8. ALL-PARTY PARLIAMENTARY AND ASSOCIATE
PARLIAMENTARY GROUPS (ADM156, 156A & 157)
The Committee deliberated further.
Resolved, That pursuant to the
Resolutions of 18 January, the Committee recommends that:
— the definition of "full member" of an All-Party
Parliamentary or of an Associate Parliamentary Group means a member
of a group who has voting rights;
— before it can be
accepted onto the Approved List, a prospective group must hold an
inaugural meeting to elect its officers, and that the meeting must
be advertised as such on the All-Party Notices; in addition, the Committee
agrees that any elections of officers of an approved group must be
advertised on the All-Party Notices; and that the relevant point of
the declaration, which prospective groups have to sign, be amended
to read "the group elects its honorary officers, who are all Members
of either House, every 12 months; this, and any other election of
officers, must be announced in advance on the All-Party Notices.";
— a group must advise
the Registry of Members' Interests of any change in the information
contained in its Information Sheet and its Register entry within 28
days of such a change occurring; and an additional declaration be
added to the application form, namely, "the group undertakes to notify
the Registry of Members' Interests of any change that is required
to its records (ie, its Register entry and its Information Sheet)
within 28 days of such a change occurring; where there is no change
to its records following an AGM, the group will sign and return its
records as correct.";
— the Parliamentary
Commission for Standards may authorise checks to establish whether
or not a group's records are correct, and may authorise the removal
of a group from the Approved List if the group fails to comply with
the rules; and
— groups will be required
to keep a record of their meetings and those attending so that, if
challenged, they can demonstrate that they have met at least 3 times
per year and that there were never less than 5 Members of the Commons
present at each meeting; the declaration to be changed accordingly
to state "the group undertakes to keep a record of every meeting so
that, if challenged, it can demonstrate that it has met at least 3
times a year (a year starts on the date of the group's last registered
AGM, and ends exactly 12 months later; AGMs cannot be included in
the total of 3); and also that there are present at every meeting
a minimum of 5 Commons members of the group, including at least one
Commons officer".—(The Chairman.)
Resolved, That, with respect to those hereditary peers excluded
from the House of Lords under the House of Lords Act, the Committee recommends
that:
(i) for prospective groups,
whilst excluded hereditary peers may be ordinary members of such groups,
they may not be officers, nor should they be counted as one of the
twenty "qualifying" Members of either House.
(ii) for existing approved groups, which may have
excluded hereditary peers as officers or qualifying members:
(a) if the peers concerned are retained as ordinary
members of a group, and are allowed voting rights, then it should
amend its title immediately to Associate Parliamentary Group, if
not already so termed;
(b) groups should elect new officers to replace
excluded hereditary peers by 31 July 2000; and
(c) groups should recruit
replacement qualifying members, also by 31 July 2000.—(The
Chairman.)
Ordered, That the Chairman do seek
the endorsement of Madam Speaker of the aforementioned recommendations.—(Mr
Oliver Heald.)
2. PORTCULLIS HOUSE (ADM160,
161)
(a) Use of Conference Rooms
(First Floor) (ADM160)
Resolved, That the Committee
endorses the proposal by the Clerk of the House that priority in booking
the large conference room should initially be accorded to those offices
and groups most involved with official visiting delegations and parliamentary
conferences, and recommends that such priority should therefore be accorded
to:
— Select Committees of the House;
— the United Kingdom
Delegations to the Council of Europe, Western European Union, the
Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe, the North Atlantic
Assembly and the British-Irish Inter-Parliamentary Body;
— the Overseas Office
of the House; and
— the United Kingdom
branches of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and the Inter-Parliamentary
Union.—(The Chairman.)
Resolved, That the Committee agrees that when reserving the conference
room it will need to be specified whether or not the adjacent function
room is required for all or part of the time; and that, subject to Madam
Speaker's endorsement of the aforementioned recommendation, the Committee
will consider at a future date whether, and under what rules, separate
but contemporaneous reservations could or should be made for the latter,
taking account of noise and other convenience factors.—(The Chairman.)
Resolved, That the Committee recommends
that those having priority status should be entitled to reserve the
large multi-purpose room and (where desired) its accompanying facilities
more than four calendar weeks in advance. Thereafter, the room and facilities
would be open to booking in the normal way by any approved All-Party
Group or Parliamentary Group or by Members, for private meetings or
conferences in connection with a parliamentary subject, subject to their
demonstrating that the numbers involved and the nature of the event
justified the use of this facility.—(The Chairman.)
Resolved, That, due to the special facilities
to be provided in the large multi-purpose room, the Committee recommends
that the room be excepted from the usual rule of Select Committee priority;
and that, subject to Madam Speaker's endorsement, any conflicts over
the use of the room by priority groups be resolved by the Serjeant at
Arms, under rules to be agreed by the Committee, at a future date.—(The
Chairman.)
Ordered, That the Chairman do seek Madam
Speaker's endorsement of the aforementioned recommendations.—(Mr
Oliver Heald.)
Resolved, That, until the Committee
Office occupy the Norman Shaw (South) building, the small conference
room in the north east corner of the First Floor of Portcullis House
be allocated, on a temporary basis, to that Office for the servicing
of Select Committees.—(The Chairman.)
(b) Cleaning of Members'
offices (ADM161)
Resolved, That, noting
no permanent additional cleaning staff would be required in order to
clean Members' offices in Portcullis House, the Committee recommends
that such duties be undertaken by staff of the Serjeant at Arms.—(The
Chairman.)
Ordered, That the Chairman do report
the aforementioned recommendation to Madam Speaker, as Chairman of the
House of Commons Commission.—(Mr Oliver Heald.)
(c) Occupation Procedure
Resolved, That the Committee
notes the report by the Accommodation Strategy Manager on the logistics
of moving Members and staff into Portcullis House.—(The Chairman.)
3. CONFERENCE ROOM (NORMAN
SHAW (NORTH))
Resolved, That the Committee
notes the report by the Serjeant at Arms on the underuse of the Norman
Shaw (North) Conference Room; and agrees that, in order to assist with
the evacuation of Members and staff from Norman Shaw (South), this Conference
room may be used instead, at least until the General Election, to accommodate
a Member and their staff. —(Mr Mike Hall.)
4. GENERAL PRACTITIONER
SERVICES (ADM162)
Resolved, That the Committee
endorses the proposal by the Head of the Occupational Health, Safety
and Welfare Service that a list of local GPs, with whom Members of the
House may register as temporary residents, be provided in the Medical
Room.—(The Chairman.)
5. CENTRAL LOBBY AND COMMITTEE
CORRIDOR (ADM164)
Resolved, That the Committee
agrees that the functions of the Barrier and of the information desk
be combined into one unit, to be positioned on the site of the existing
Barrier; that, subject to a wooden stand and frame being fitted to the
screen, the Committee agrees that the information screen in Central
Lobby should become a permanent facility; and agrees also that a second
information screen be sited, on a trial basis, at the Pulpit on the
Committee Corridor.—(The Chairman.)
6. FILMING, PHOTOGRAPHY
AND SOUND RECORDING
Resolved, That the Committee
recommends that the ban on the use of tape recorders by journalists
attending Sittings of the House in Westminster Hall be lifted.—(The
Chairman.)
Resolved, That the Committee
recommends that Members sponsoring meetings with visiting dignitaries
(ie, Heads of State, Heads of Government, Presiding Officers of National
Parliaments, Secretaries-General of the UN or NATO, or European Commissioners)
in the Grand Committee Room or Committee Rooms 5-16, may arrange for
the taking of still photographs; the sponsoring Member to apply to the
Serjeant at Arms, giving details of the name and position held by the
dignitary, where and when they wished photographs to be taken, and what
arrangements will be made to escort the photographer (if not a Palace
of Westminster photopass holder) off the premises; and that these arrangements
to be in addition to the existing rules on still photography in the
Jubilee Room and in Members' own offices.—(Mr Oliver Heald.)
Resolved, That the Committee recommends
that the ban on the filming in Members' offices be lifted; and agrees
that although no permit will be required, all equipment and cases must
be contained within the office, and filming is to be restricted to the
Member holding the interview; and that it will not be permitted to film
out of windows in order to take panoramic shots of other people or of
locations.—(The Chairman.)
Ordered, That the Chairman do seek the
endorsement of Madam Speaker of the aforementioned recommendations;
and that, subject to such endorsement, the recommendations take immediate
effect.—(The Chairman.)
7. GUIDE FEES
Resolved, That the Committee
takes note of the terms of a letter to Madam Speaker from Mr Roy Beggs,
concerning the possibility of a discounted guide fee for school children
and students.—(Mr William Ross.)
[Adjourned till Tuesday 29 February at Five o'clock.
TUESDAY 29 FEBRUARY 2000
Members present:
Mrs Marion Roe, in the Chair
Mr Stephen Day
Mr Mike Hall
Dr Nick Palmer
Mr William Ross
The Committee deliberated.
9. ADVANCE BOOKING OF CONFERENCE AND INTERVIEW
ROOMS (ADM163, 167)
Resolved, That the Committee
notes the report by the Serjeant at Arms; and endorses the proposal
that, following the opening of Portcullis House, Members of the House
may book, on a trial basis, Conference Rooms from recess to recess;
and agrees that, as at present, Interview Rooms, (with the exception
of the Jubilee Room), may be booked by Members not more than one month
in advance.—(Dr Nick Palmer.)
2. REGULATIONS ON THE USE
OF MOBILE TELEPHONES (ADM168, 169)
Resolved, That the Committee
notes the letter from the Chairman of the Information Committee, concerning
the use of mobile telephones in Library areas.—(The Chairman.)
Resolved, That the Committee
recommends that the restriction on the use of mobile telephones by Strangers
in those areas where public payphones are installed (ie, the Committee
Corridor, the Centre Curtain Corridor and St Stephen's Hall) be lifted.—(The
Chairman.)
Ordered, That the Chairman do
seek the endorsement of Madam Speaker of the aforementioned recommendation.—(Mr
Mike Hall.)
3. FACILITIES FOR THE PRESS
Resolved, That the Committee
agrees that the vestibule situated behind the present information desk
in Central Lobby be used for a trial period as a television access point
for interviews with Members of the House; and further agrees that such
a trial should take place between the return of the House after Easter
until the rise for the Summer Adjournment .—(The Chairman.)
Ordered, That, at its next meeting,
the Serjeant at Arms do present to the Committee draft proposals for
the rules and booking arrangements, which broadcasters will have to
adhere to in utilising the aforementioned television access point.—(The
Chairman.)
[Adjourned till Tuesday 28 March at Five o'clock.
TUESDAY 28 MARCH 2000
Members present:
Mrs Marion Roe, in the Chair
Mr David Crausby
Mr Stephen Day
Mr William Ross
The Committee deliberated.
10. RULES ON FILMING, PHOTOGRAPHY, ETC (ADM175)
Resolved, That the Committee
notes and endorses the draft proposals by the Serjeant at Arms for the
regulations and booking arrangements for the trial filming and broadcasting
of interviews in the vestibule off Central Lobby.—(The Chairman.)
2. SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETATION
(ADM176, 177)
Resolved, That, noting
the proposals by Rachel Squire, the Committee recommends that the Serjeant
at Arms and the Head of Human Resources Strategy do consult with the
Royal National Institute for Deaf People to pursue options to ensure
that House facilities are, as far as possible, accessible to all people
with hearing difficulties.—(The Chairman.)
3. FUNDING OF CONSTITUENTS'
VISITS TO WESTMINSTER (ADM178)
Resolved, That the Committee
is not able to endorse the proposal by a Member of the House that the
House provides financial assistance to enable Members' constituents
to visit Westminster.—(The Chairman.)
4. CHILDCARE PROVISION
(ADM179, 180)
Resolved, That the Committee
notes the report by the Head of Human Resources Strategy on the new
initiatives being introduced to assist staff with childcare provision.—(The
Chairman.)
5. CASH MACHINES (ADM181)
Resolved, That the Committee,
noting that alternative facilities to the cash dispensing machines are
available should Members and staff wish to exercise a choice, does not,
therefore, agree to the proposal by a Member of the House that the Barclays
Bank cash machines be withdrawn from service.—(The Chairman.)
6. REFRESHMENTS IN COMMITTEE
ROOMS (ADM182, 183)
Resolved, That the Committee
considers that the existing regulations concerning refreshments in Committee
Rooms are still appropriate, and therefore does not endorse the proposal
to permit the consumption of hot beverages in such rooms.—(The
Chairman.)
[Adjourned till Tuesday 23 May at Five o'clock.
TUESDAY 23 MAY 2000
Members present:
Mrs Marion Roe, in the Chair
Mr David Crausby
Mr Hilton Dawson
Mr Stephen Day
Mr Mike Hall
Dr Nick Palmer
The Committee deliberated.
11. ALL-PARTY AND ASSOCIATE PARLIAMENTARY
GROUPS (ADM185)
Resolved, That the Committee
recommends that the existing rules on All-Party and Associate Parliamentary
Groups be amended, so that:
— three Members only need to be present at a meeting,
provided one of those Members was an officer of the Group. Those Members
present may come from either House, or from both Houses;
— a Group would need
to meet only twice a year—the Annual General Meeting may count
as one meeting, with a second meeting taking place on a day other
than that on which the AGM is held; and that
— all other existing
regulations remain unchanged.—(The Chairman.)
Ordered, That the Chairman do seek
the endorsement of Madam Speaker to the aforementioned recommendations.—(Mr
Stephen Day.)
12. CONFIGURATION OF COMMITTEE ROOMS (ADM188)
Resolved, That the Committee
recommends that, due to financial and other considerations identified
by the relevant House authorities, the proposal by a Member of the House
that the seating arrangements of Select Committee Rooms be rotated through
ninety degrees, should not be proceeded with.—(The Chairman.)
13. CHILDCARE FACILITIES (ADM179, 180, 184,
187 AND 189)
Resolved, That the Chairman and
the Vice-Chairmen of the All-Party Parliamentary Childcare Group be
invited to the next meeting of the Committee to discuss the survey on
childcare facilities being undertaken on behalf of the All-Party Group.—(The
Chairman.)
Resolved, That the Daycare Trust, which is undertaking the aforementioned
survey, be invited also to attend the next meeting of the Committee.—(Mr
Mike Hall.)
14. DISABILITY AWARENESS TRAINING (ADM190)
Resolved, That the Committee
endorses in principle the proposal from Mr Harry Cohen that Members
be offered the opportunity to attend disability awareness training;
and agrees that the Assistant Director of Human Resources Strategy draft
proposals on this matter, for consideration by the Committee at a future
meeting.—(The Chairman.)
15. LINE OF ROUTE (ADM191)
Resolved, That the Committee
notes the progress reports by the Serjeant at Arms and by the Visitor
Manager on the arrangements to re-open the Line of Route during the
Summer Adjournment.—(The Chairman.)
Ordered, That the Chairman do draw to
the attention of the House the charge to be levied to cover ticketing
and other administrative arrangements.—(Mr Mike Hall.)
16. ACCESS BY MEMBERS OF DEVOLVED LEGISLATURES
(ADM192)
Resolved, That the Committee
re-iterates its Resolution of 23 March 1999 that only those Members
representing the whole of the United Kingdom, ie, Members of this House
and UK Members of the European Parliament, be permitted immediate access
to the House, and the use of its facilities.—(The Chairman.)
17. JUBILEE ROOM (ADM193)
Resolved, That, at a future date, the
Committee reconsiders the arrangements for holding meetings in the Jubilee
Room; and agrees that the Serjeant at Arms do draft proposals for the
Committee's consideration.—(The Chairman.)
[Adjourned till Tuesday 27 June at Five o'clock.
TUESDAY 27 JUNE 2000
Members present:
Mrs Marion Roe, in the Chair
Mr David Crausby
Mr Hilton Dawson
Mr Stephen Day
Mr Mike Hall
Dr Nick Palmer
Mr William Ross
The Committee deliberated.
18. CHILDCARE FACILITIES
Resolved, That the Committee
notes that the Daycare Trust will be presenting to the Childcare All-Party
Parliamentary Group costed options for various types of childcare facilities;
further notes that the aforementioned review will be completed by the
autumn; and agrees that the Committee do consider the results of that
review, with a view to recommending to the House of Commons Commission
that the House engages consultants to advise on the options of childcare
provision for the House.—(Dr Nick Palmer.)
19. PROVISION OF MEDICAL SERVICES (ADM194)
Resolved, That the Committee
notes the report by the Head of the Occupational Health, Safety and
Welfare Service and;
— takes note of progress made on the contract
with St Thomas' Hospital;
— endorses the approach
proposed by the Consultant Occupational Physician for the provision
in the Palace of common medications; and
— endorses the pilot
project proposed for the deploying of cardiac defibrillators and for
the training of operators.—(The Chairman.)
20. LINE OF ROUTE (ADM195)
Resolved, That the Committee
notes the progress report by the Visitor Manager.—(The Chairman.)
21. COMMITTEE, CONFERENCE AND INTERVIEW ROOMS (ADM196)
Resolved, That the Committee
endorses the proposal by the Serjeant at Arms that three Committee Rooms
in the Palace, the large and small Ministerial Conference Rooms and
Conference Rooms H and J be used for the decanting of Members and staff
during the Summer Adjournment.—(The Chairman.)
Resolved, That the Committee endorses
the proposal by the Serjeant at Arms that, during the Summer Adjournment,
Interview Rooms W5 and W6 be used as offices for the Visitor Manager
and for the guides for Line of Route tours.—(The Chairman.)
22. ACCESS TO THE TERRACE (ADM197)
Resolved, That the Committee
considers that those Members of the House lunching on the Terrace are
as entitled to privacy during the Summer Adjournment as when the House
is sitting; and therefore does not agree to the request from the Honorary
Secretary of the Parliamentary Press Gallery that Gallery journalists
be permitted the use of the Terrace during the Summer Adjournment.—(The
Chairman.)
23. FILMING, PHOTOGRAPHY, ETC. (ADM198)
Resolved, That the Committee
notes the report by the Serjeant at Arms and by the Supervisor of Parliamentary
Broadcasting concerning filming of interviews with Members in the vestibule
off Central Lobby; and notes further that, should it be agreed that
the experiment be made a permanent facility, it would be possible to
install a plug-in point, as requested by the broadcasters, in the vestibule.—(The
Chairman.)
24. HAIRDRESSING SERVICES (ADM199)
Resolved, That the Committee notes the
arrangements made concerning the lease for the Hairdressing Salon.—(The
Chairman.)
25. PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEPRINTER
Resolved, That the Committee notes that
PA Newswire will not be able to support their remaining machine, situated
on the Library Corridor, after the Summer Adjournment; and endorses
the proposal by the Serjeant at Arms that it be replaced by a teletext
set similar to that installed in the Members' Cloak Room.—(The
Chairman.)
26. CENTRAL LOBBY INFORMATION DESK
Resolved, That the Committee congratulates
the Serjeant at Arms and his staff on the successful introduction in
Central Lobby of the combined Barrier and Information Desk.— (Mr
William Ross.)
[Adjourned till Tuesday 18 July at Five o'clock.
TUESDAY 18 JULY 2000
Members present:
Mrs Marion Roe, in the Chair
Mr Hilton Dawson
Mr Stephen Day
Mr Mike Hall
Mr Fabian Hamilton
Dr Nick Palmer
Mr William Ross
The Committee deliberated.
27. FACILITIES FOR DEAF OR HARD OF HEARING
PEOPLE (ADM201)
Resolved, That the Committee
endorses the proposal by the Serjeant at Arms and by the Head of Human
Resources Strategy that the Royal National Institute for Deaf People
Disability Consultancy carry out an audit of services and facilities
provided in the House for deaf and hard of hearing people; notes that
the audit would seek to identify areas of improvement, would recommend
strategies to improve the standard of service provided to enable the
House to satisfy the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act
1995 and give guidance on best practice.—(The Chairman.)
Resolved, That the Committee notes that
the cost of undertaking the aforementioned audit could be funded by
the Department of the Serjeant at Arms, but that any further expenditure
needed to implement any recommendations would have to be referred to
the Finance and Services Committee for its consideration.—(The
Chairman.)
28. DISABILITY AWARENESS TRAINING FOR MEMBERS
OF THE HOUSE (ADM202)
Resolved, That the Committee
notes the report by the Head of Human Resources Strategy; and endorses
the proposal that the Department of Finance and Administration:
— prepares guidance on Members' responsibilities
to those people with disabilities and also on arrangements for visitors
with disabilities, and to post this guidance on the Department's Intranet
site;
— includes brief guidance
on these responsibilities in the new Members' Handbook; and
— works with the Employers'
Forum on Disability to explore the possibility of a further event
to alert Members to their responsibilities in such matters.—(The
Chairman.)
29. ACCESS FOR MEMBERS OF DEVOLVED LEGISLATURES
(ADM203)
Resolved, That the Committee notes the
decision of the Presiding Officer of the National Assembly for Wales
to give access to the National Assembly Buildings to Welsh Members of
the House and of the House of Lords and to Welsh Members of the European
Parliament.—(The Chairman.)
Ordered, That, for its next meeting,
the Serjeant at Arms do provide the Committee with details of the existing
arrangements concerning access to the Palace.—(The Chairman.)
30. STRANGERS' GALLERY (BREASFEEDING) (ADM204)
Resolved, That the Committee notes,
and agrees with, the statement contained in a factsheet issued by the
International Babyfood Action Network, that breasfeeding mothers require
"a quiet, clean room, ensuring safety and privacy, with running water,
electricity and a comfortable chair"; notes that it is not possible
to provide such facilities in the vicinity of the Strangers' Gallery,
and concludes, therefore, that there should be no changes to the existing
regulations concerning visitors to the Gallery.—(The Chairman.)
31. FILMING AND PHOTOGRAPHY (ELECTION OF
THE SPEAKER)
Resolved, That the Committee approves
the request by the Education Unit that photographs may be taken of the
Speaker-elect being dragged to the Chair; and that, subject to the Speaker's
approval, such photographs may be used in educational publications produced
by the House.—(The Chairman.)
[Adjourned till Tuesday 7 November at Five o'clock.
TUESDAY 7 NOVEMBER 2000
Members present:
Mrs Marion Roe, in the Chair
Mr Mike Hall
Dr Nick Palmer
Mr William Ross
The Committee deliberated.
32. LINE OF ROUTE (ADM205, 205A and 205B)
Resolved, That the Committee notes the
reports by the Visitor Manager and by the Director of Catering Services
on the re-opening of the Line of Route during the Summer Adjournment.—(The
Chairman.)
Resolved, That the Committee considers
that the trial re-opening be repeated during the Summer Adjournment
2001;
that the Committee accepts the stated level
of deficit for the future, and does not consider that, for 2001, this
deficit should be offset by a rise in the amount charged for the use
of a guide and to cover the cost of ticketing;
that the Committee endorses the proposal that
a Visitor Manager be engaged from February 2001, and that an Assistant
Visitor Manager and Clerical Assistant be engaged from May 2001; and
that the Committee does not consider it necessary
to hold a concurrent meeting of the Committee and the House of Lords
Administration Works Sub-Committee, and is content for Black Rod and
the Serjeant at Arms to report back progress as appropriate. —(The
Chairman.)
33. CHILDCARE FACILTIES (ADM206, 206A and
207)
Resolved, That the Committee
notes the reports by the Daycare Trust and by the Head of Human Resources
Strategy and notes that, since the Trust's report was written, the House
of Commons childcare voucher scheme for staff of the House has been
extended to cover school age children during the holidays, and information
about the scheme has been placed on the Intrantet;
that the family room off the Lower Waiting
Hall has been stocked with toys and games, and the Library will be providing
suitable books;
that a successful experimental holiday playscheme
was held for one week during the 2000 Summer Adjournment and the Board
of Management will be invited to consider whether it should be repeated
in 2001; and
that information is being collected about local
nurseries, playschemes and after school schemes, and this information
will be posted on the Intranet, so that it is available to Members,
their staff and House staff.—(The Chairman.)
Resolved, That the Head of Human Resources
Strategy prepare reports on the July 2000 playscheme to include views
on whether it would be possible to extend it to Members and their staff,
perhaps with children of a wider age range; and on identifying local
childcare which might be available to Members and/or House staff and/or
Members' staff.—(The Chairman.)
Resolved, That should the report on
local facilities identify any deficiencies, then the Committee will
request a report on the feasibility, and the possible cost, of the House
providing nursery places, either on the Parliamentary Estate, or in
partnership with outside organisations, eg. Government Departments.—(Mr
Mike Hall.)
34. ACCESS (MEMBERS OF DEVOLVED LEGISLATURES)
(ADM208)
The Committee deliberated further.
Resolved, That the Committee notes the
report by the Serjeant at Arms.—(The Chairman.)
Ordered, That the Serjeant at
Arms do ascertain what level of rights of access to facilities are being
sought on behalf of Members of the National Assembly for Wales; and
whether rights of access to the Assembly Buildings will apply to all
Members of the House.—(The Chairman.)
35. EDUCATION UNIT SERVICES (ADM209)
Resolved, That the Committee takes note
of the report by the Education Officer and the Director of Parliamentary
and Reference Services.—(The Chairman.)
36. GOVERNMENT GREENING INITIATIVE (ADM210(i))
Resolved, That the Committee notes the
appointment of the Director of Parliamentary Works as the co-ordinator
for managing the Government Greening Initiative across the Parliamentary
Estate.—(The Chairman.)
Resolved, That the Committee
notes and endorses the proposal by the Director of Parliamentary Works
to provide additional bins in order to provide for the better recycling
of waste paper.—(The Chairman.)
37. UNDERGROUND CAR PARK (USE BY LORDS HANSARD
STAFF) (ADM210(ii))
Resolved, That the Committee notes the
report by the Serjeant at Arms; and endorses his proposal that Lords
late night Hansard Staff be permitted to park in the Underground Car
Park on a temporary basis until 31 March 2001; and notes that, in March
2001, he will present a progress report to the Committee for its further
consideration.—(The Chairman.)
38. EXHIBITIONS (UPPER WAITING HALL) (ADM211)
Resolved, That the Committee agrees
to the request from Mr Andrew Dismore that an exhibition to coincide
with the first Holocaust Memorial Day on 27 January 2001 be exempted
from the ballot.—(The Chairman.)
Ordered, That the Serjeant at
Arms do reserve the week of 22–26 January 2001 in order to accommodate
the aforementioned exhibition.—(Dr Nick Palmer.)
39. DISABILITY AWARENESS TRAINING
Resolved, That the Committee notes that
a seminar on disability awareness for Members and their staff will be
held on 23 November 2000; further notes that an exhibition in the Upper
Waiting Hall on this subject is proposed also; and agrees that, if confirmed,
such an exhibition may be exempted from the ballot.—(The Chairman.)
[Adjourned till Tuesday 28 November at Five o'clock.
TUESDAY 28 NOVEMBER 2000
Members present:
Mrs Marion Roe, in the Chair
Mr David Crausby
Mr Hilton Dawson
Mr Stephen Day
Mr Mike Hall
Dr Nick Palmer
Mr William Ross
The Committee deliberated.
40. HEALTH AND SAFETY (GUIDE FOR MEMBERS
AND THEIR STAFF) (ADM212, 212A)
Resolved, That the Committee notes and
endorses the draft Health and Safety Guide for Members and their staff.—(The
Chairman.)
41. FILMING AND PHOTOGRAPHY (ADM213–216)
Resolved, That the Committee
agrees to the request by Mr Austin Mitchell that he be permitted to
take photographs from the Strangers' Gallery and overlooking Members'
Lobby during the State Opening of Parliament.—(The Chairman.)
Resolved, That the Committee recommends
that the filming and recording of interviews with Members of the House
in the Central Lobby Vestibule be made a permanent facility; and notes
that the cost of the installation of the necessary cabling will be the
responsibility of the broadcasters.—(The Chairman.)
Ordered, That the Chairman do seek the
endorsement of Mr Speaker to the aforementioned Resolution.—(Dr
Nick Palmer.)
Resolved, That the Committee does not
agree, at this time, to any relaxation of the existing rules on filming
and recording in the Central Lobby Vestibule.—(Mr Stephen Day.)
Resolved, That, due to the proposed
project being unable to be completed before the Dissolution of the House
for a General Election, the Committee does not agree to the request
to make a documentary series about the work of the House.—(The
Chairman.)
42. CHILDCARE FACILITIES (ADM 217)
Resolved, That the Committee notes the
report by the Head of Human Resources Strategy on the childcare facilities
available in the Westminster area; and agrees that the approval of the
House of Commons Commission be sought for the funds necessary in order
to engage consultants to identify options on how best to help Members
and their staff with childcare.—(Dr Nick Palmer.)
43. CONFERENCE FACILITIES (PORTCULLIS HOUSE)
(ADM218)
Resolved, That the Committee agrees
the principle that the House's conference facilities may be made available
at weekends to accommodate meetings sponsored by Parliament, by the
UK Government or by Committees of the House; and that additional staff
costs and any other expenditure associated with such events be the responsibility
of an identified Member of the House.—(The Chairman.)
44. THE SUSAN HAMILTON PERSONNEL AGENCY
Resolved, That the Committee notes the
report by the Serjeant at Arms that, with effect from the end of the
year, the Susan Hamilton Agency will no longer be able to provide an
on-site secretarial service for Members; agrees that the House should
withdraw entirely from this area of activity and to allow its Members
to make their own arrangements direct with an Agency of their choice;
and agrees that a list of local Agencies prepared to undertake secretarial
work for Members of both Houses be made available.—(The Chairman.)
45. USE OF HOUSE STATIONERY
Resolved, That, at a future meeting,
the Committee re-examines the rules concerning the use by Members of
House stationery and of postage paid envelopes in order to communicate
with their constituents.—(Dr Nick Palmer.)
[Adjourned till Tuesday
9 January 2001 at Five o'clock.
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