Department or the Terrace, but of course people do eat snacks and sandwiches in their offices.
The rules concerning photo taking are somewhat complex and of course these have recently had to be extended to cover video recordings for television interviews and there are endless requests for filming. You know that our proceedings in the House are not televised (yet), and Members may not be filmed or video recorded in their own rooms because the UK Television Companies insist on such vast crews. Subject to some conditions, Members may be interviewed in certain other rooms which they can book, or on the Terrace before noon, or on the Line of Route before 10 am in the morning. Parts of the building may not be used as a set. I think the above highlights the main photographic rules, but I enclose a copy of the latest regulations.
The House as you probably know has its own Select Committee which looks after the main rule making process as far as use of facilities are concerned. This is the Services Committee which in turn has four sub-committees: Accommodation & Administration, Computers, Catering and Library.
The Serjeant at Arms Department is responsible for "keeping the Show on the Road behind the scenes" (my phrase), but of course has nothing to do with the legislative process, or the reporting (Hansard), or the Library or Catering Services. We are however the main co-ordinators of much that goes on, looking after the administration of the accommodation for Members and their staffs, and the general provision of services for the House. As well as having the support of a large security force, we have a detachment from British Telecom who look after the side of the telephone exchange which serves the members' enquiry bureau and taking messages. We also have a staff from the Post Office who deal with all mail, a small Thomas Cooks provided transport office and a large Property Services Agency staff. The latter operate under the Parliamentary Works Officer and are responsible for the upkeep of the fabric, fixtures and fittings in the building. All these five separate agencies co-ordinate their activities with the Serjeant at Arms.
Li Wing asks specifically about theft, fire, deposit of baggage and emergency evacuation and I turn now to these. There is unfortunately quite a lot of comparatively minor theft in the House and it has been impossible to stop this. Of course much of the property here belongs to the Government and it is therefore insured. On the other hand there is a considerable amount of office equipment around belonging to individual Members, as they are not supplied with this centrally from
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