I have blogged before about how temporary pass holders and visitors are not allowed to eat in the Debate cafeteria in Portcullis House between 12pm and 2.30pm. This is due to the pressure on the facilities by the full time members of staff and MPs already based in Portcullis House.
In the main buildings over the road at lunch times full passholders and MPs are allowed to bring up to 2 guests in at lunchtime in the Terrace cafe. The only restaurant inside Parliament where temporary passholders are allowed on their own is Bellamy's in 1 Parliament Street - which creates significant problems when it is shut in recess.
The only eating place for non passholders and visitors is in the Jubilee Cafe in Westminster Hall.
The access regulations are only enforced sporadically and to a large degree are dependent on the goodwill of people using the facility, not someone in a suit stood with a clipboard (although that does happen occasionally).
I believe that after the last catering review it was decided that in the Debate cafe in Portcullis House MPs could bring 2 visitors with them. I presume this is because they are more important than anyone else and clearly do not have numerous other places on the estate to eat their food. :-/
As staff we put up with it. In truth most people turn a blind eye when MPs or staff bring a non-passholder to lunch, all we ask is that a bit of common-sense be used so we can all eat our lunches relatively swiftly and get back to work.
But there are always one or two people who ignore the rules completely and take advantage of that goodwill. One Tory MP today turned up with around 30 guests, all in visitor passes, and trooped them through the Debate cafeteria to get their lunch. This, of course, not only held up everybody queueing for their lunch but also meant that they took up many of the tables restricted for use by people using the cafe.
It may seem petty, but it just shows a lack of respect and a sense of self importance amongst some MPs that means they feel they can do whatever they want. I feel sorry for the staff who are faced with the choice of either having a row with a Member of Parliament who will probably end up spitting feathers or upsetting a lot of staff who are patiently waiting for their lunch whilst their one hour break slowly ticks down.
I know we have MPs' Priority Service, and the Lords also want Priority Service - but MPs' Constituents Priority Service is something else. :-/
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(Photo Source: Martin Deutsch,http://www.flickr.com/photos/teflon/147694395/)<
