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TUESDAY 17 JULY 2001
Members present:
| Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown |
Caroline Flint |
| Martin Linton |
Julie Morgan |
| Dr Nick Palmer |
Mrs Marion Roe |
| David Wright |
1. ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN
Mrs Marion Roe was called to the Chair.
Ordered, That the Chairman do report her election to the House.—(The Chairman.)
2. DECLARATION OF INTERESTS
Members declared their interests, pursuant to the resolution of the House of 13 July 1992. 7
3. PREMATURE DISCLOSURE OF PROCEEDINGS
Resolved, That the Committee takes note of the note on the premature disclosure of Select Committee proceedings and confidentiality of Committee papers set out in the Guide for select committee members.—(The Chairman.)
4. TIME OF MEETINGS
Resolved, That the Committee meet at 10 a.m. on Tuesdays.—(Martin Linton.)
5. FUTURE POLICY ON THE PROVISION OF PHOTOCOPIER PAPER
(ADM01)
Resolved, That the Committee endorses the proposal by the Finance and PurchasingCo-ordinator that photocopier paper overprinted with the portcullis be withdrawn when current stocks are exhausted and that EVOLVE recycled paper be used in future.—(The Chairman.)
6. USE OF COMMITTEE ROOMS DURING THE RECESS
Resolved, That the Committee endorses the suggestion from the Parliamentary Supervisor of Broadcasting that she be permitted to hold a meeting with potential tenderers for the provision of mobile television units in Committee Room 8 during the recess.—(The Chairman.)
7. ITEMS FOR FUTURE DISCUSSION
Resolved, That at its next meeting, the Committee do discuss facilities for breastfeeding.—(Julie Morgan.)
Resolved, That the Committee do discuss its areas of responsibility with the relevant Officers of the House.—(Martin Linton.)
[Adjourned till Tuesday 23 October 2001 at Ten o'clock.
TUESDAY 23 OCTOBER 2001
Members present:
Mrs Marion Roe, in the Chair
| Mr Nick Ainger |
Patsy Calton |
| Caroline Flint |
Martin Linton |
| Julie Morgan |
Dr Nick Palmer |
8. TRAVEL OFFICE (ADM011)
Resolved, That the Committee notes the report by the Director of Finance and Administration; and approves of the proposal that a charge of 5% of the cost of an air ticket, subject to a maximum charge of £35 per ticket, may be imposed by the Travel Office on air fares for which a commission is no longer received.—(The Chairman.)
Resolved, That the Committee approves of the proposal that the contract for provision of the Travel Office be reviewed in the first half of 2002.—(The Chairman.)
Ordered, That Patsy Calton be the Chairman of the Travel Office Consumers' Panel.—(The Chairman.)
9. ALL PARTY GROUPS (ADM013)
Resolved, That, before the Committee takes a decision on the request for permission to form an All Party 'Friends of Birmingham Airport' Group, it establishes what purposes such a group would be intended for.—(Dr Nick Palmer.)
10. EXHIBITIONS IN THE UPPER WAITING HALL (ADM006)
Resolved, That the Committee agrees that the Industry and Parliament Trust may be exempt from the ballot for the Spring period for exhibitions in the Upper Waiting Hall.—(The Chairman.)
11. PARLIAMENTARY EDUCATION UNIT VISITOR PROGRAMMES (ADM008)
Resolved, That the Committee notes the report by the Parliamentary Education Officer and the Director of Parliamentary and Reference Services, and endorses the proposal to move some teacher seminar days and pupil parliaments from Fridays to Mondays.—(The Chairman.)
Resolved, That the Committee suggests that the Parliamentary Education Unit should in future notify Members before schools from their constituency visit the House.—(Martin Linton.)
12. SECURITY
The Committee deliberated.
13. LINE OF ROUTE (ADM009, 010, 012)
Resolved, That the Committee notes the reports by the Visitor Manager and the Group on Information for the public on the re-opening of the Line of Route during the summer adjournment.—(The Chairman.)
Resolved, That the Committee considers that the opening of the Line of Route during the summer adjournment should be a permanent feature;
— that the Committee reaffirms the three criteria recommended by the House: that public access must not impinge upon the work of the House; that summer visiting arrangements must not constrain the works programme or the ability of the House to sit at any time; and that current rights of Members and the Education Unit should be maintained; and
— that the Committee endorses the proposal that a fourth criterion should be added, namely that any arrangements for the Line of Route should not impede the application of appropriately high levels of security within the Palace of Westminster.—(The Chairman.)
14. BREASTFEEDING (ADM003)
Resolved, That at its next meeting, the Committee do discuss facilities for breastfeeding.—(Julie Morgan.)
15. CHILDCARE (ADM007)
Resolved, That the Committee notes the report by the Director of Finance and Administration.—(The Chairman.)
Ordered, That Caroline Flint do discuss the matter further with the Director of Finance and Administration.—(The Chairman.)
16. ALLOCATION OF STAFF PASSES TO MEMBERS
The Committee deliberated.
17. VOTE OFFICE
Resolved, That the Committee requests that the Deliverer of the Vote explore providing additional user friendly information about recent publications in the Vote Office.—(Martin Linton.)
18. REFRESHMENT RULES FOR COMMITTEE ROOMS
The Committee deliberated.
19. DATES OF FUTURE MEETINGS
Resolved, That, notwithstanding the Committee's earlier decision on meeting times, the Committee meet next on Wednesday 14 November; and that after that the Committee meet on Wednesday 5 December.—(The Chairman.)
[Adjourned till Wednesday 14 November 2001 at a quarter to Four o'clock.
WEDNESDAY 14 NOVEMBER 2001
Members present:
Mrs Marion Roe, in the Chair
| Mr Nick Ainger |
Patsy Calton |
| Caroline FlintMr John Hayes |
Martin Linton |
| Mr Iain LukeDr Nick Palmer |
20. BREASTFEEDING (ADM003, 014 & 016)
Resolved, That the Committee respectfully requests the Speaker to:
— recognize the health benefits of breast feeding to mothers and their babies;
— acknowledge the expert advice given by the National Childbirth Trust, UNICEF, Royal College of Midwives, the Maternity Alliance and others; in particular the maternal and baby health benefits, the employment issues under Human Rights legislation and the low take-up of breast feeding in this country.—(Patsy Calton.)
Motion made, and Question put, That the Committee recommends:
— that the House should give a lead to the country in promoting breastfeeding by allowing mothers to feed their babies wherever it is appropriate to them in the Palace of Westminster and associated buildings.—(Patsy Calton.)
The Committee divided.
Ayes, 4
Patsy Calton
Caroline Flint
Martin Linton
Mr Ian Luke
Noes, 1
Mr John Hayes
Resolved, that the House should give a lead to the country in promoting breastfeeding by allowing mothers to feed their babies wherever it is appropriate to them in the Palace of Westminster and associated buildings.
Resolved, That the Committee recommends:
— that suitable, non-toilet facilities should be made available for feeding babies;
— that staff should be provided with information in order that they can answer queries from breastfeeding mothers about available facilities.—(Patsy Calton.)
21. ALLOCATION OF STAFF PASSES TO MEMBERS (ADM019)
Resolved, That the current rules regarding passes for Members' staff may be interpreted to take account of part-time and job-sharing staff, provided that the overall number of passes issues is not allowed to exceed 1,977.—(The Chairman.)
22. LINE OF ROUTE (ADM012A, 015 & 017)
Resolved, That the Committee notes the report and presentation by the Visitor Manager.—(The Chairman.)
Resolved, That the Committee does not approve of the proposals for the Members' Line of Route tour outlined in ADM015.—(The Chairman.)
23. REFRESHMENT RULES FOR MEETING ROOMS (ADM018)
Resolved, That the Committee notes the paper by the Assistant Serjeant at Arms.—(The Chairman.)
24. CHILDCARE
Ordered, That Caroline Flint report to the Committee at its next meeting.—(The Chairman.)
25. TRAVEL OFFICE CONSUMERS' PANEL (ADM021)
Ordered, That, since the Association of Clerical, Technical and Supervisory Staffs appears to no longer be operational within the House, the two staff representatives on the Travel Office Consumers' Panel be drawn from the Secretaries' and Assistants' Council and the Trade and General Workers' Union.—(The Chairman.)
[Adjourned till Wednesday 5 December 2001 at a quarter to Four o'clock.
WEDNESDAY 5 DECEMBER 2001
Members present:
Mrs Marion Roe, in the Chair
| Mr Nick Ainger |
Patsy Calton |
| Caroline Flint |
Mr John Hayes |
| Martin Linton |
Mr Iain Luke |
26. LINE OF ROUTE
The Committee deliberated.
Draft Report [The Summer Line of Route—the 2001 opening and proposals for the future], proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read.
Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph.
Paragraphs 1 to 39 read and agreed to.
Resolved, That the Report be the First Report of the Committee to the House.
Ordered, That the Chairman do make the Report to the House.
A paper was ordered to be appended to the Report.
27. ALL PARTY GROUPS (ADM026)
Resolved, That the Committee does not agree to the proposal to form an All-Party Group on Birmingham Airport.—(The Chairman.)
[Adjourned till Wednesday 9 January 2002 at a quarter to Four o'clock.
WEDNESDAY 9 JANUARY 2002
Members present:
Mrs Marion Roe, in the Chair
| Mr Nick Ainger |
Mrs Patsy Calton |
| Caroline Flint |
Mr John Hayes |
| Martin Linton |
Mr Iain Luke |
| Dr Nick Palmer |
28. CAR PARKING (ADM031)
The Committee deliberated.
29. STATIONERY (ADM030)
The Committee deliberated.
[Adjourned till Wednesday 13 February 2002 at a quarter to Four o'clock.
WEDNESDAY 13 FEBRUARY 2002
Members present:
Mrs Marion Roe, in the Chair
| Mr Nick Ainger |
Mrs Patsy Calton |
| Caroline Flint |
Martin Linton |
| Mr Iain Luke |
Mr John MacDougall |
30. TRAVEL OFFICE
The Committee deliberated.
31. LINE OF ROUTE
The Committee deliberated.
Ordered, That the Chairman write to Lord Tordoff, Chairman of the House of Lords Offices Committee, urging speedy consideration in the House of Lords of the Committee's proposals on the summer opening of the Line of Route.—(The Chairman.)
Ordered, That the Director of Finance and Administration present to the Finance and Services Committee the Committee's recommendation that the House authorities accept payment for Line of Route tickets in euros.—(Martin Linton.)
32. FILMING (ADM032)
Resolved, That the Committee supports the suggestion of the Serjeant at Arms that the Parliamentary Choir be invited to rehearse in the visitor cafeteria for the purpose of being filmed, rather than in the atrium of Portcullis House as requested.—(The Chairman.)
33. STATIONERY (ADM033)
Resolved, That the Committee notes the paper by the Assistant Serjeant at Arms, and agrees that a business card bearing the portcullis for Members would be welcome.—(The Chairman.)
34. ALL PARTY GROUPS (ADM034)
Resolved, That the Committee notes the paper from the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards, and will consider the matter of All Party Groups at a future meeting.—(The Chairman.)
35. ACCESS (MEMBERS OF DEVOLVED LEGISLATURES) (ADM035)
Resolved, That, having considered the request by Lord Elis-Thomas for increased access to the Palace of Westminster for Members of the Welsh Assembly, the Committee will recommend to the Speaker no change in the current rules regarding access.—(The Chairman.)
36. CAR PARKING
The Committee deliberated.
37. CHILDCARE
The Committee deliberated.
[Adjourned till Wednesday 10 April 2002 at a quarter to Four o'clock.
WEDNESDAY 10 APRIL 2002
Members present:
Mrs Marion Roe, in the Chair
| Mr Nick Ainger |
Mrs Patsy Calton |
| Caroline Flint |
Mr John Hayes |
| Martin Linton |
Mr Iain Luke |
| Mr John MacDougall |
38. BREASTFEEDING (ADM040 &041)
Resolved, That the Committee notes the Speaker's response to the Committee's recommendations on breastfeeding.—(The Chairman.)
Resolved, That the Committee endorses the proposals of the Serjeant at Arms for facilities for nursing mothers, but requests that he reconsider whether a facility could be sited on the Lower Committee Corridor.—(The Chairman.)
39. MEMORIAL PLAQUE TO SIR RAY POWELL (ADM050)
Resolved, That, while appreciating the work of the late Sir Ray Powell, particularly with regard to Portcullis House, given the large number of Members who greatly contribute to the life of Parliament the Committee cannot recommend that he be singled out for commemoration.—(The Chairman.)
40. PORTCULLIS HOUSE ATRIUM (ADM043)
Resolved, That the Committee supports the suggestion of the Serjeant at Arms that Harriet Harman be invited to hold the celebrations of her twentieth anniversary as a Member in an alternative facility on the Parliamentary estate, rather than in the atrium of Portcullis House as requested.—(The Chairman.)
41. STAFF FOR MEMBERS WITH DISABILITIES (ADM045)
Resolved, That the Committee is content for additional staff photo passes to be allocated automatically where extra staff to aid Members with disabilities were approved.—(The Chairman.)
42. FILMING (ADM 047 & 053)
The Committee deliberated.
Resolved, That the Committee invite Ms Anne Sloman of the BBC to discuss her proposals on increased access to the House of Commons for broadcasters.—(The Chairman.)
43. LINE OF ROUTE (ADM049)
Resolved, That the Committee consider a paper by the Board of Management on the organisation of the Line of Route at its next meeting.—(The Chairman.)
44. CAR PARKING
The Committee deliberated.
[Adjourned till Wednesday 24 April 2002 at a quarter to Four o'clock.
WEDNESDAY 24 APRIL 2002
Members present:
Mrs Marion Roe, in the Chair
| Mrs Patsy Calton |
Martin Linton |
| Mr John MacDougall |
45. LINE OF ROUTE (ADM048)
Resolved, That the Committee notes the paper from the Board of Management on the central organisation of the Line of Route.—(The Chairman.)
Ordered, That the Committee's discussions on the subject be communicated to the House of Commons Commission by the Clerk.—(The Chairman.)
46. CAR PARKING (ADM052)
Resolved, That the Committee notes the paper by the Assistant Serjeant at Arms.—(The Chairman.)
47. EXHIBITIONS IN UPPER WAITING HALL
Resolved, That the Committee would like further information on the exhibition of portraits of the Prime Minister proposed by Mr Tony Banks.—(The Chairman.)
[Adjourned till Wednesday 22 May 2002 at a quarter to Four o'clock.
WEDNESDAY 22 MAY 2002
Members present:
Mrs Marion Roe, in the Chair
| Mr Nick Ainger |
Mrs Patsy Calton |
| Caroline Flint |
Mr John Hayes |
| Martin Linton |
Mr Iain Luke |
48. PORTCULLIS HOUSE ATRIUM
Resolved, That the Committee endorses the proposal from Mr Tony Banks that, for a trial period between mid June and mid July, live music be performed in the atrium during lunch times.—(The Chairman.)
49. EXHIBITIONS IN THE UPPER WAITING HALL (ADM056 & 059)
Ordered, That an exhibition of amateur portraits of the Prime Minister, suggested by Mr Tony Banks, be permitted in the Upper Waiting Hall in the week immediately following the Whitsun recess.—(The Chairman.)
Ordered, That the Parliamentary Press Gallery be permitted to hold an exhibition commemorating its 200th anniversary in 2003 on the sitting week nearest the anniversary date.—(The Chairman.)
50. CAR PARKING (ADM060)
The Committee deliberated.
51. USE OF COMMITTEE AND CONFERENCE ROOMS DURING THE RECESS (ADM057)
Resolved, That the Committee notes the paper from the Serjeant at Arms on the impact of the summer recess works programme on committee room use.—(The Chairman.)
52. ANNUNCIATORS (ADM055)
Resolved, That the Committee recommends that, if individual Members are prepared to provide their own television equipment at their own expense, they should be permitted to connect it to the annunciator system.—(The Chairman.)
53. ACCESS (MEMBERS OF DEVOLVED LEGISLATURES) (ADM062)
Ordered, That the matter of access for members of devolved assemblies be referred to the Serjeant at Arms.—(The Chairman.)
54. PARLIAMENTARY INFORMATION AND VISITOR CENTRE (ADM061)
Resolved, That the Committee notes the paper from the Board of Management and the Group on Information for the Public on the feasibility study for a parliamentary information and visitor centre.—(The Chairman.)
55. FILMING (ADM047 & 053)
Ordered, That, for a trial period during the session 2002–03, broadcasters be permitted access to the following interview points:
— Central Lobby, from the threshold of the vestibule door to the floor tiles in line with the statue of Lord Northcote, facing out into the Lobby
— Committee Corridor, outside Committee Room 16, facing along the corridor
— Portcullis House first floor, outside the Macmillan Room, overlooking the atrium
— Portcullis House atrium, by the e-library, with shots facing either towards the e- Library or across the atrium towards the escalators.—(The Chairman.)
Ordered, That the following conditions apply to the trial:
— the Serjeant's office will retain control of all bookings for use of the facilities
— all televising, whether live or pre-recorded, will be by pre-arrangement only
— crews will be limited to not more than 3 in number, including the interviewer
— correspondents and crews will be limited to those with permanent accreditation to the Palace of Westminster
— pieces to camera or commentary will be in the context of an interview with a specified Member, or an introduction or commentary on specific business in the House
— interviews will be scheduled for a maximum of 15 minutes each
— interviews may not take place in any other unauthorised area, even as a fallback when filming at these interview points is not possible.
—(The Chairman.)
Ordered, That the subject matter of interviews over the trial period be recorded.—(The Chairman.)
Ordered, That pre-recorded interviews be permitted in the Jubilee Room; and that permanent cabling of St Stephen's Entrance be allowed.—(The Chairman.)
Ordered, That the Clerk write to the other major broadcasters about the proposals, asking for their views; and any objections be brought to the attention of the Chairman for consideration before cabling work begins.—(The Chairman.)
56. HOUSE ADMINISTRATION (ADM053)
Resolved, That the Committee consider House administration at a future meeting.—(Mrs Patsy Calton.)
57. CHILDCARE
The Committee deliberated.
[Adjourned till Wednesday 19 June 2002 at a quarter to Four o'clock.
WEDNESDAY 19 JUNE 2002
Members present:
Mrs Marion Roe, in the Chair
| Caroline Flint |
Martin Linton |
| Mr John MacDougall |
58. CHILDCARE
Ordered, That the Chairman write to all Members, and a notice be placed in the All Party Whip, asking for the comments of Members and their staff on options for childcare provision.—(Caroline Flint.)
Ordered, That any views on childcare received will be circulated to the Committee and the Human Resources Group.—(Caroline Flint.)
59. FILMING (ADM066)
Resolved, That the Committee reiterates its decision to permit filming in the Committee Corridor outside Committee Room 16; but will revisit the issue should there prove to be technical difficulties.—(The Chairman.)
60. ALL PARTY GROUPS (ADM046)
Resolved, That the Committee endorses the proposal for an All Party Group on parliamentary art from Mr Tony Banks.—(The Chairman.)
61. LINE OF ROUTE
The Committee deliberated.
62. HOUSE OF COMMONS CAT
The Committee deliberated.
[Adjourned till Wednesday 17 July 2002 at a quarter to Four o'clock.
WEDNESDAY 17 JULY 2002
Members present:
Mrs Marion Roe, in the Chair
| Mr Nick Ainger |
Mrs Patsy Calton |
| Caroline Flint |
Mr Iain Luke |
| Mr John MacDougall |
63. CAR PARKING
Resolved, That the Committee notes the letter from the Serjeant at Arms to all Members and car park users, outlining the new arrangements for access to the underground car park.—(The Chairman.)
64. HOUSE ADMINISTRATION (ADM058)
The Committee deliberated.
65. VISITOR TOURS (ADM072)
Resolved, That the Committee notes the letter from the Secretary of the Commission outlining the Commission's recent decisions on visitor tours for "term time" visitors.—(The Chairman.)
66. OPEN HOUSE WEEKEND (ADM071)
Resolved, That the Committee notes the memorandum from the Assistant Serjeant at Arms outlining arrangements for the London Open House weekend in September.—(The Chairman.)
67. SMOKING (ADM070)
Resolved, That the Committee should pass on to the Speaker the suggestion that a team from GlaxoSmithKline's Space to Breathe programme should visit the House of Commons.—(The Chairman.)
68. CHILDCARE (ADM068, 068A & 068B)
The Committee deliberated.
[Adjourned till Wednesday 23 October 2002 at a quarter to Four o'clock.
WEDNESDAY 23 OCTOBER 2002
Members present:
Mrs Marion Roe, in the Chair
| Mrs Patsy Calton |
Caroline Flint |
| Mr Iain Luke |
Mr John MacDougall |
| Mrs Julie Morgan |
69. VISITOR TOURS
The Committee deliberated.
70. CAR PARKING
The Committee deliberated.
71. CHILDCARE (ADM076)
Resolved, That the Committee notes the letter from the Serjeant at Arms regarding new babycare facilities in the House.—(The Chairman.)
Resolved, That the Committee agrees that a report which identifies options to provide daycare facilities for children of passholders of the House should be forthcoming from the appropriate bodies as soon as possible.—(Caroline Flint.)
72. USE OF COMMITTEE ROOMS
Resolved, That the Committee endorses the proposal that the House of Lords be permitted to use Committee Room 5 for select committee meetings on a trial basis for one year.—(The Chairman.)
[Adjourned to a day and time to be fixed by the Chairman.
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST (APPENDIX)
17 July 2001
Caroline Flint declared that she was Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Childcare.
Julie Morgan declared that she was a member of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Childcare.
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