Appendix 3: The Rules on use of the House
emblem, House of Commons Stationery and pre-paid envelopes
Use of the House Emblem
1. The principal emblem of the House is the Crowned
Portcullis. It is a royal badge and its use by the House has
been formally authorised by licence granted by Her Majesty the
Queen. The designs and symbols of the House should not be used
for purposes to which such authentication is inappropriate, or
where there is a risk that their use might wrongly be regarded,
or represented, as having the authority of the House.
Use of the House of Commons Stationery and pre-paid
envelopes
INTRODUCTION
2. House of Commons stationery provided at public
expense must not be used for purposes which are not properly a
charge on public funds, and the designs and symbols which authenticate
communications from Members should not be used for purposes to
which authentication is inappropriate. The following rules have
been approved by the Speaker on the recommendation of the Select
Committee on Administration. Their application and interpretation
must initially, however, rest on the good sense of the individual
Members. In normal circumstances supervision and enforcement
of the regulations are a matter for the Serjeant at Arms.
ORIGINAL HOUSE STATIONERY
3. Original House stationery which is provided at
public expense should not be used for the following purposes:—
a) communications of a business or commercial
nature;
b) personal correspondence, other than in modest
quantities;
c) correspondence of Associate Parliamentary
Groups which include persons other than Members of Parliament;
d) in connection with fund raising for the benefit
of a political party, advocating membership of a political party,
or supporting the return of any person to public office.
4. Original House stationery should not be used for
circulars of any description.
CIRCULARS (SEE ALSO 4 ABOVE)
5. Members who wish to send out circulars may purchase
the original House stationery, or, at their own expense, may photocopy
or by other means reproduce such stationery which may include
the Crowned Portcullis or the Royal Arms, whether or not associated
with the words 'House of Commons'.
6. Such circulars must not be used:—
a) for correspondence of a business, commercial
or personal nature; or
b) in connection with fund raising for the benefit
of a political party, advocating the membership of a political
party, or supporting the return of any person to public office.
c) An Associate Parliamentary Group which includes
persons other than Members of Parliament may make use of House
emblems on stationery other than original House stationery, subject
to this and rule 5 above.
7. For the purposes of these regulations the following
are considered to be circulars:
a) a letter sent in identical or near identical
form to a number of addressees (whether or not it is individually
signed and addressed) if it is unsolicited, i.e. if it is not
sent in reply to queries or correspondence from the addressees;
b) common-form coming-of-age greetings cards
or letters, or equivalent communications sent to the constituents;
c) a letter sent in identical or near identical
form to a number of addresses acknowledging replies to any letter,
questionnaire or survey that itself was unsolicited.
PRE-PAID ENVELOPES
8. The pre-paid envelopes supplied for Members' use
should not be used:
a) for correspondence of a business or commercial
or personal nature;
b) for the correspondence of parliamentary groups
which include persons other than Members of Parliament;
c) in connection with fund-raising for the benefit
of political party, or supporting the return of any person to
public office;
d) for circulars of any description (including
those referred to in paragraph 7 above);
e) for internal mail;
f) for overseas mail, other than to BFPO numbered
addresses, see paragraph 10 below.
9. Members are asked to note that pre-paid envelopes,
postcards and plastic mailers are charged for as soon as they
have been supplied. They should be safeguarded in order to prevent
misuse and may not be overprinted in any way.
EUROPEAN DESTINATIONS
10. A post-paid envelope valid for European destinations
is available.
DISSOLUTION
11. House stationery, House emblems and pre-paid
envelopes should not be used during the period of dissolution.
In correspondence ex-Members should not use the title MP or the
address of the House of Commons until the day after Polling Day.
March 2006
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