Dear Mr Cross,

Freedom of Information request F17-545

Thank you for your request for information dated 13 December 2017,
received by us on the same date, which is copied below.

We will endeavour to respond to your request promptly but in any case
within 20 working days i.e. on or before 15 January 2018.

If you have any queries about your request, please use the request number
quoted above and in the subject line of this email.

Yours sincerely,

Sarah Price

IRIS Support Officer
Information Rights and Information Security (IRIS) Service | House of
Commons

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Click [2]here for details about Freedom of Information

in the House of Commons and to see what we publish.

From: Mr Cross [mailto:[FOI #452401 email]]
Sent: 13 December 2017 11:49
To: FOI Commons <[email address]>
Subject: Freedom of Information request - Parliamentary convention

Dear House of Commons,

I have come across a claim that there is a "strict Parliamentary
convention that MPs can only deal with matters raised by their own
constituents or businesses in their constituency".

(1) Please provide me with any recorded information held that describes
this convention (if it exists).
(2) Please provide me with any recorded information held that explains the
(supposed) distinction between a Parliamentary convention that is strict
and one that is not strict.
(3) Please provide me with any recorded information held that supports the
view that there is a Parliamentary convention that MPs should not deal
with matters raised by organisations other than businesses (state schools,
charities, campaign groups etc) which would appear to follow from the
claim above.

Yours faithfully,

Mr Cross

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[3][FOI #452401 email]

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show quoted sections

Dear Mr Cross,

Freedom of Information Request F17-545

Thank you for your request for information as copied below.  You have
asked a number of questions about parliamentary convention which we have
sought to address below.

In relation to a claim that there is a "strict parliamentary convention
that MPs can only deal with matters raised by their own constituents or
businesses in their constituency":

1.   Please provide me with any recorded information held that describes
this convention (if it exists).

Some information is held by the House of Commons. There are a number of
records that relate to this convention; for example rulings by the Speaker
detailed in Hansard.  Additional detail from sources outside the House of
Commons is also available.  This information is conveniently compiled and
explained in a House of Commons Library Briefing Paper titled “Members and
constituency etiquette” which may be accessed from the parliamentary
website here: 
[1]http://researchbriefings.files.parliamen....

As this part of your request is reasonably accessible to you otherwise
than under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA), your request is
refused. In refusing your request the House is applying the exemption set
out in section 21 (1) and (2) (a) of the FOIA.  This is an absolute
exemption and the public interest test does not apply.

2.   Please provide me with any recorded information held that explains
the (supposed) distinction between a Parliamentary convention that is
strict and one that is not strict.

This information is not held by the House of Commons.  We hold no records
which explain this distinction.

3.   Please provide me with any recorded information held that supports
the view that there is a Parliamentary convention that MPs should not deal
with matters raised by organisations other than businesses (state schools,
charities, campaign groups etc.) which would appear to follow from the
claim above.

This information is not held by the House of Commons.  It may help you to
know that political parties may also provide support and guidance for
Members in the course of their work, so you may wish to redirect your
request to them.  Contact details for the relevant parties can be found on
the parliamentary website here:
[2]http://www.parliament.uk/mps-lords-and-o...
Please note that political parties are not public authorities in
accordance with the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and are therefore not
obliged to answer requests for information.

You may, if dissatisfied with the handling of your request, complain to
the House of Commons. Alternatively, if you are dissatisfied with the
outcome of your request you may ask the House of Commons to conduct an
internal review of any decision regarding your request.  Complaints or
requests for internal review should be addressed to: Information Rights
and Information Security Service, Research & Information Team, House of
Commons, London SW1A 0AA or [3][House of Commons request email].  Please ensure
that you specify the full reasons for your complaint or internal review
along with any arguments or points that you wish to make.

If you remain dissatisfied, you may appeal to the Information Commissioner
at Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 5AF,
[4]www.ico.gov.uk.

Yours sincerely,

         
Information Rights Manager
Information Rights and Information Security (IRIS) Service | House of
Commons

[5]cid:image002.jpg@01D02B64.34D76640

Click [6]here for information about FOI in the House of Commons,

or to see what we publish.

From: Mr Cross [[7]mailto:[FOI #452401 email]]
Sent: 13 December 2017 11:49
To: FOI Commons <[8][email address]>
Subject: Freedom of Information request - Parliamentary convention

Dear House of Commons,

I have come across a claim that there is a "strict Parliamentary
convention that MPs can only deal with matters raised by their own
constituents or businesses in their constituency".

(1) Please provide me with any recorded information held that describes
this convention (if it exists).
(2) Please provide me with any recorded information held that explains the
(supposed) distinction between a Parliamentary convention that is strict
and one that is not strict.
(3) Please provide me with any recorded information held that supports the
view that there is a Parliamentary convention that MPs should not deal
with matters raised by organisations other than businesses (state schools,
charities, campaign groups etc) which would appear to follow from the
claim above.

Yours faithfully,

Mr Cross

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[9][FOI #452401 email]

Is [10][House of Commons request email] the wrong address for Freedom of
Information requests to House of Commons? If so, please contact us using
this form:
[11]https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/change_re...

Disclaimer: This message and any reply that you make will be published on
the internet. Our privacy and copyright policies:
[12]https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/help/offi...

For more detailed guidance on safely disclosing information, read the
latest advice from the ICO:
[13]https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/help/ico-...

Please note that in some cases publication of requests and responses will
be delayed.

If you find this service useful as an FOI officer, please ask your web
manager to link to us from your organisation's FOI page.

show quoted sections