Decisions 20 October 2003

Present:

The Speaker, in the Chair
Mr Stuart Bell
Sir Patrick Cormack
Mr Eric Forth
Sir Archy Kirkwood

Apologies: Mr Peter Hain

1.  Proposed Hansard Society exhibition: Parliament for the future

The Chairman of the Group on Information for the Public (GIP) was present.

The Commission approved the Hansard Society's proposal for an exhibition to be held in Westminster Hall in summer 2004.  The Commission agreed that GIP should monitor preparations to ensure compliance with the Commission's criteria for exhibitions:

• that subject to the agreement of the three controlling authorities (the Speaker, the Lord Chancellor and the Lord Great Chamberlain), exhibitions to be held in Westminster Hall should be permitted where:
• they had a strong Parliamentary connection
• they would contribute to increased public understanding of the work of the House and increase its accessibility
• they were affordable and did not clash with other planned events
• adequate arrangements for advertising and supporting material as well as contract and insurance would be made.

2.  Proposed exhibition on Slavery and Parliament

The Chairman of the GIP was present.

The Commission:

• approved in principle the proposal from the Speaker's Advisory Committee of Works of Art for an exhibition on Slavery and Parliament
• agreed that GIP should monitor preparations to ensure compliance with the Commission's criteria for exhibitions; and
• agreed the exhibition should not be subsidised from public funds.

3.  Proposal for merchandising the works of art collection

The Commission discussed the House's merchandising policy and agreed that that the in-House range of souvenirs should be further developed before any detailed consideration of possible private sector involvement.