Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Stephen Mosley and Viscount Thurso

Thursday 4th December 2014 Commons Chamber

[John Thurso (Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross)]

Mr Speaker, the specifics of the work of your commission are not directly the responsibility of the House of Commons Commission. However, I understand that work is at an advanced stage, and that it is planning to publish its report on 21 January.

[Stephen Mosley]

Eighteen-year-old Rachael Farrington from Cheshire has established the successful “Voting Counts” website and social media campaign, which intends to engage young people with politics and encourage them to vote. How is the Commission working with young e-activists like Rachael to encourage young people to get involved with parliamentary democracy?

[John Thurso]

I congratulate my hon. Friend’s constituent on her work. It sounds absolutely fascinating. All I can tell him, as far as the Commission is concerned, is that the commissioners heard evidence on this matter and it will be reflected in its report. However, it is not for me to anticipate that. In addition to the more traditional evidence sessions, the commissioners met a wide range of people in a number of towns and cities in the United Kingdom.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Stephen Mosley and Viscount Thurso

Thursday 16th June 2011 Commons Chamber

[Stephen Mosley (City of Chester) (Con)]

6. Whether the House of Commons Commission has considered the merits of redistributing used IT equipment to charitable organisations.

[John Thurso (Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross)]

This matter was last considered shortly before the 2005 general election. The House received advice that accounting regulations required the recovery of the residual value of publicly funded assets when they were disposed of. For that reason, the possibility of charitable donation was not pursued and the assets were resold after having any data and software removed.

[Stephen Mosley]

I thank my hon. Friend for his response. Is he aware that the House of Lords allows the redistribution of old IT equipment to charities, and will he ask the Commission to reconsider its 2005 decision?

[John Thurso]

Perhaps I could point out to my hon. Friend that the total for Members’ equipment recovered to date is £75,000, which is approximately half its total value. The House of Lords has far less equipment, and it is of lower value, and can therefore take a different view. However, we will consider the matter at the end of this Parliament.