Parliament: Visits

To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission what the maximum number of tours of Parliament organised through the central tours office is that may take place on each day from Monday to Friday during sitting periods. (267237)

During sitting periods the number of tour slots each day is as follows:

Mondays, 38

Tuesdays, 38

Wednesdays, 38 (15 full tours, 23 Lords end only)

Thursdays, 0

Fridays, sitting (either House) 24, Non sitting 92

To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission which individuals have booked tours of Parliament through the central tours office in the last four weeks. (267238)

Information can be provided on the categories of individuals sponsoring tours. To maximise capacity, small groups can sometimes be combined, thus accommodating additional groups. Therefore the total number of tour groups accommodated usually exceeds the number of slots available, as illustrated:

*Bookings made, by sponsor, for the period 2 March to 31 March inclusive*
	Number of tour slots	Small group additions to tours	Total number of groups accommodated
			Number	Percentage
Members of House of Commons	591	440	1,031	91
Members of House of Lords	43	13	56	5
Officers of either House	17	10	27	2
Central Tours Office	10	1	11	1
Staff of either House	7	4	11	1
Total	668	468	1,136	100

To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission how much advance notice is required to book a tour of Parliament through the central tours office. (267239)

On the first working day of each new month, booking opens for the month six months ahead, e.g. on 1 April the spreadsheet for October will be opened. Slots within a new month are usually booked close to capacity within two to three weeks of that month becoming available.

To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission which categories of people are able to book tours of Parliament through the central tours office. (267240)

The following categories of people are able to book tours:

Members and Officers of both Houses

Permanent staff of either House for work purposes (expressed in the regulations as “where there is a clear business need, i.e. not for personal guests”)

Central Tours Office—if the group is clearly one which Parliament would wish to host, such as direct requests from ministries, overseas parliamentarians, civil service training.

Volume 490: debated on Friday 27 March 2009