To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission on what date sections 5.1, 5.2 and 5.3 of the contract for hiring private dining facilities in the Commons were introduced. (115593)

Clauses 5.1, 5.2 and 5.3 of the terms and conditions of booking for the private dining rooms in the House of Commons were introduced, as currently worded, in December 2000.

To ask the honourable Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission whether there are (a) exceptions and (b) exemptions to clauses 6.1 and 6.2 of the contract for hiring private dining facilities in the Commons. (115594)

There are no agreed exceptions or exemptions to clause 6.1, which requires any publicity, invitation, circular, literature or announcement in connection with a function to prominently bear the event sponsor's name, and for such material to be submitted to the banqueting office for approval prior to publication. It is the responsibility of the sponsor to ensure compliance with this requirement. Clause 6.2 requires any media interest in the event to be notified in writing to the banqueting office. In practice inquiries from the media now tend to come by telephone and the banqueting office does not insist on written notification from the media. Such inquiries are referred to the event organiser.