Written question asked by Ken Eastham (Labour), in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 3 December 1996. It was answered by Lord Martin of Springburn (Labour) on Tuesday, 3 December 1996 on behalf of the Administration Committee.

Administration Select Committee

Question: What assessment the committee has made of the necessity for honourable Members successful in the ballot for an exhibition in the Upper Waiting Hall to table a parliamentary question.

Answer: Mr. Eastham: To ask the Chairman of the Administration Committee what assessment the Committee has made of the necessity for hon. Members successful in the ballot for an exhibition in the Upper Waiting Hall to table a parliamentary question. [6993] Mr. Michael J. Martin: At its meeting on 17 November the Administration Committee considered, and endorsed, a proposal from the Serjeant at Arms that the existing requirement for hon. Members successful in the ballot for an exhibition in the Upper Waiting Hall to table a parliamentary question be ended. The Committee has therefore instructed the Serjeant at Arms to amend the relevant paragraphs of the existing regulations as follows: "After the ballot has taken place the Serjeant at Arms will place a notice in the All Party Notices announcing the titles of the successful exhibition bookings and names of the sponsoring Members." In addition, details of forthcoming exhibitions will continue to be available on the PDVN bulletin board service. This revision does not affect the requirement for hon. Members to consult the appropriate Government Department in order to obtain written advice on applications, which will continue to be submitted to the Committee. This new arrangement will come into force in time for the ballot for the spring period, due to be held on 9 December.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 6993; 286 c592-3W;286 c590-1W
Session: 1996-97
Subjects: House of Commons Parliamentary procedure Parliamentary questions Exhibitions Upper Waiting Hall