Tuesday, October 09, 2007
Coffee time
Never let it be said that MPs do not have a sense of their own importance. They have only been back a day and already a memo has gone out throughout the Parliamentary estate demanding that all staff give way to them in the queue for coffee and a whole range of other services:
Before the recess the Speaker approved the Administration Committee’s recommendation that Members should have priority access to services throughout the Commons part of the Parliamentary Estate.
With effect from today, staff and other users should be prepared to give way to Members when queuing for retail and catering services, the post office, travel office or when using other facilities such as lifts, photocopiers, telephone cubicles, etc.
When using parliamentary facilities, please bear in mind whether there is, or is likely to be, a heavy demand from Members and, if so, try to amend your own plans or schedule.
Don't they just delegate such chores to their staff anyway?
Update: This is now subject to an Eraly Day Motion: That the House notes with astonishment the announcement made on Tuesday 9th October that “Members should have priority access to services throughout the Commons part of the Parliamentary Estate”; further notes that such an approach is expedient in certain areas at certain times, such as during a division, but not everywhere all the time; believes that this announcement serves to create a rigid two tier system which is counter to an enlightened image of Parliament; further believes there is merit in a general presumption of equality on the Parliamentary Estate; and urges the Accommodation Committee to reconsider.
Before the recess the Speaker approved the Administration Committee’s recommendation that Members should have priority access to services throughout the Commons part of the Parliamentary Estate.
With effect from today, staff and other users should be prepared to give way to Members when queuing for retail and catering services, the post office, travel office or when using other facilities such as lifts, photocopiers, telephone cubicles, etc.
When using parliamentary facilities, please bear in mind whether there is, or is likely to be, a heavy demand from Members and, if so, try to amend your own plans or schedule.
Don't they just delegate such chores to their staff anyway?
Update: This is now subject to an Eraly Day Motion: That the House notes with astonishment the announcement made on Tuesday 9th October that “Members should have priority access to services throughout the Commons part of the Parliamentary Estate”; further notes that such an approach is expedient in certain areas at certain times, such as during a division, but not everywhere all the time; believes that this announcement serves to create a rigid two tier system which is counter to an enlightened image of Parliament; further believes there is merit in a general presumption of equality on the Parliamentary Estate; and urges the Accommodation Committee to reconsider.
