Oral Answers to Questions — House of Commons – in the House of Commons am 12:00 am ar 25 Tachwedd 1996.
Robert Wareing
, Liverpool, West Derby
12:00,
25 Tachwedd 1996
To ask the Chairman of the Finance and Services Committee what representations he has received in respect of expenditure on renovations in the Palace of Westminster during the summer recess. [4032]
Mr Paul Channon
, Southend West
I have received one representation.
Robert Wareing
, Liverpool, West Derby
In these times of cuts in social benefits, and when local authorities cannot get the resources to provide proper community care, was it not exorbitant for the House to spend £17 million, including £6 million on the kitchen in the Members Cafeteria? Every summer recess, the interior of the House resembles nothing more than one huge building site, and much of the work is repetitive and unnecessary. Is it not a higher priority to provide an escalator for elderly members of the public who have to tramp huffing and puffing up the stairs to reach the Strangers Gallery?
Mr Paul Channon
, Southend West
I quite understand and share the hon. Gentleman's desire for as much economy as possible. He must realise that what he proposes was fully debated in the House on 12 July 1994 and carried unanimously. We could not have continued without being closed down eventually, as we were clearly defying health and safety regulations. Everything that is done in the House is much more expensive than it would be elsewhere because this is a grade I listed building.
Mr Colin Shepherd
, Hereford
Does my right hon. Friend agree that it is right that the House should no longer hide behind Crown immunity and that it should face up to its responsibilities, and that much of the expenditure incurred to which the hon. Member for Liverpool, West Derby (Mr. Wareing) referred was related to improving the conditions of those who work in the Palace? Should we not comply with the legislation with which we make others outside comply?
Mr Paul Channon
, Southend West
I agree.
Miss Betty Boothroyd
Speaker of the House of Commons
We must now return to Transport questions and to Question 12 from Sir Mark Lennox-Boyd.
I call Mr. Jim Cunningham on Question 13.
Mrs Elaine Kellett
, Lancaster
On a point of order, Madam Speaker. I rise because of the other question.
Miss Betty Boothroyd
Speaker of the House of Commons
Order. We always return to the original questions when we have finished.
Miss Betty Boothroyd
Speaker of the House of Commons
Order. Question 28 was withdrawn. We now return to Transport questions. Sir Mark Lennox-Boyd is not in his place; Mr. Jim Cunningham is.
Mrs Elaine Kellett
, Lancaster
I was rising for Question 27, Madam Speaker.
The House of Commons is one of the houses of parliament. Here, elected MPs (elected by the "commons", i.e. the people) debate. In modern times, nearly all power resides in this house. In the commons are 650 MPs, as well as a speaker and three deputy speakers.
The Speaker is an MP who has been elected to act as Chairman during debates in the House of Commons. He or she is responsible for ensuring that the rules laid down by the House for the carrying out of its business are observed. It is the Speaker who calls MPs to speak, and maintains order in the House. He or she acts as the House's representative in its relations with outside bodies and the other elements of Parliament such as the Lords and the Monarch. The Speaker is also responsible for protecting the interests of minorities in the House. He or she must ensure that the holders of an opinion, however unpopular, are allowed to put across their view without undue obstruction. It is also the Speaker who reprimands, on behalf of the House, an MP brought to the Bar of the House. In the case of disobedience the Speaker can 'name' an MP which results in their suspension from the House for a period. The Speaker must be impartial in all matters. He or she is elected by MPs in the House of Commons but then ceases to be involved in party politics. All sides in the House rely on the Speaker's disinterest. Even after retirement a former Speaker will not take part in political issues. Taking on the office means losing close contact with old colleagues and keeping apart from all groups and interests, even avoiding using the House of Commons dining rooms or bars. The Speaker continues as a Member of Parliament dealing with constituent's letters and problems. By tradition other candidates from the major parties do not contest the Speaker's seat at a General Election. The Speakership dates back to 1377 when Sir Thomas Hungerford was appointed to the role. The title Speaker comes from the fact that the Speaker was the official spokesman of the House of Commons to the Monarch. In the early years of the office, several Speakers suffered violent deaths when they presented unwelcome news to the King. Further information can be obtained from factsheet M2 on the UK Parliament website.
Of a male MP, sitting on his regular seat in the House. For females, "in her place".
