Question

To ask the right hon. Member for Carshalton and Wallington, representing the House of Commons Commission, what criteria the Commission applies to people applying for press passes.

Press passes may be applied for via a business case addressed to the Serjeant at Arms. The business case should include:

• The name of their business organisation
• Details of circulation (including circulation figures)
• A copy of their editorial policy
• Proof of their qualification as a journalist and accreditation to a professional body
• How they envisage using potential access; i.e. how often they see access being required and what percentage of their coverage they envisage being of a political nature, directly attributable to their access
• Any other information which would support their request

Applications are considered on a case by case basis and, if agreed, passes are then issued by the Pass Office subject to the successful security vetting of the individual.

Depending on the business case presented passes may be issued for a trial period, with reassessment after that time, before the maximum three years is considered.

For details of current pass holders, individuals who are granted a parliamentary pass also complete a declaration which is recorded in the Register of Journalists’ Interests. This can be found on the parliamentary website here: http://www.parliament.uk/mps-lords-and-offices/standards-and-financial-interests/parliamentary-commissioner-for-standards/registers-of-interests/register-of-journalists-interests/.