Asked by: David Amess (Conservative - Southend West)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the hon. Member for Perth and North Perthshire, representing the House of Commons Commission, if the Commission will subscribe to (a) Standing Committee debates, (b) Public Bill Committee debates and (c) the Official Report of (i) the House of Commons and (ii) the House of Lords produced by Public Information Online; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Pete Wishart - Shadow SNP Spokesperson (Home Affairs)
The Commission has no plans to subscribe to the resources referred to which are part of the Public information Online service.
The Commons Library provides a wide range of commercial information databases and online resources to support the work of Members and their staff and in making decisions on which services to subscribe to it is guided by the importance of ensuring value for money and the need to make the most effective use of the funding the House provides. Consequently, as all the Parliamentary information contained in Public Information Online is already available in the Library, either in printed or online form, and is readily accessible to Members, it has previously concluded that a subscription to this service is not necessary. The Library also provides a skilled team of knowledgeable staff who can assist members and their teams in finding and accessing this information if they should experience any difficulties.