Welsh Grand Committee

Debate between Nigel Evans and Bob Russell

Wednesday 18th January 2012 Commons Chamber

[Sir Bob Russell (Colchester) (LD)]

On a point of order, Mr Deputy Speaker. In the past two hours, Members of Parliament have been denied access to an internet site, www.ipsa.shadow.com, which is supportive of Members of Parliament. The official print-off states, “Access is denied to the website you have selected because it belongs to a category that is blocked.” Can we have an investigation into who within the House is blocking Members of Parliament accessing anything, and in particular something to do with the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, especially when it is favourable to Members of Parliament?

[Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Nigel Evans)]

There is a rarity. Although that is not a point of order for the Chair, my recollection is that a phone number is usually given when access to a site is denied. My suggestion to the hon. Gentleman would be either to telephone that number, or if no number is given, to phone Parliamentary Information and Communications Technology. I am sure that PICT will be able to give the reason why Sir Bob is not being given the answer he wants.

Legal Aid Reform

Debate between Nigel Evans and Bob Russell

Thursday 3rd February 2011 Commons Chamber

[Bob Russell (Colchester) (LD)]

On a point of order, Mr Deputy Speaker. The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, whose leadership heads the most incompetent quango in the country, has today published a “name and shame” of Members of Parliament who, in its mind, have made claims to which they were not entitled. Among those names is mine, but I have to tell the House that the payment was made to me in full on 13 December. IPSA knew that. Admittedly, it took two months to pay, but it acknowledged that the claim was legitimate and it was paid. However, my name appears in a list of those who had a claim refused. What action can be taken by Members who have been maligned—one could argue libelled and slandered—by this incompetent organisation?

[Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Nigel Evans)]

I believe that the hon. Gentleman is a member of the Speaker’s Panel on IPSA, and I am almost tempted to ask him to refer this matter to himself, but I will not do that. He knows that the matter that he has raised is not a procedural point for the Chair, but he has put his views on the record and he knows that there are other ways of taking the matter further.