Oral question asked in the House of Commons, by Graham Allen (Labour). It was answered on Monday, 12 June 2006 on behalf of the House of Commons Commission.

House of Commons Chamber

Question: Does the hon. Gentleman feel that there would be greater public interest in debates in the House, which are watched and listened to by very few people, were the debates more worth listening to—[Interruption]. Does he feel that a wider group of members of the public, architecture students and architects’ practices could help us to build a Chamber that was more conducive to genuine debate—[Interruption]—as opposed to posturing and shouting from a sedentary position, as is being demonstrated at this very moment, thereby making my argument?

Answer: When the hon. Gentleman raised a similar point a while ago, I suggested that he should approach the Modernisation Committee if he wanted to test the degree of support that he had among his colleagues. I am not aware of his having done that. Alternatively, he might like to table an early-day motion to test support for any idea that he might wish to put forward.

Secondary information

Type: Oral question
Reference: 447 c532
Session: 2005-06
Oral question type: 1st Supplementary
Chamber / Committee: House of Commons chamber
Subjects: Design Architecture House of Commons chamber Royal Institute of British Architects
Link: View this Oral question on www.publications.parliament.uk