All of a Twitter
A committee report has called for the ban on using Twitter in the House of Commons to be thrown out so MPs can keep the public up-to-date with parliamentary debate developments from smartphones and tablets.
The procedures committee has decided that MPs should be able to use mobile devices in Commons as long as they "used in a way that does not impair decorum" i.e. silent, The Guardian reported.
Apparently MPs could use a tablet to read a speech from, but the committee has reportedly recommended that chunky devices bigger than an A4 sheet of paper, like most laptops, should not be allowed as space is already tight in the historic chamber.
The MP for East Yorkshire Greg Knight, who is also committee chair, said a ‘common sense approach' had been taken so MPs will no longer have to skip chamber debates to make time to catch up on emails.
He reportedly said: "In the modern age, it's easy for your inbox to fill up but ... [this measure] allows MPs to attend a debate and still keep an eye on their inbox as long as it doesn't impair decorum. At the moment, we have the odd situation where we can have a wad of notes an inch thick but, if you have your notes on an iPad, you can't refer to them. We have to acknowledge the need for change."
However, some MPs are not sold on the idea and have apparently argued that the introduction of smartphones and tablets could ruin the principle of the parliamentary debate
James Gray, the Conservative MP for North Wiltshire is reportedly concerned that the introduction of electronic devices could make for a "worrying change in the atmosphere" in the House of Commons.
"The excessive use of any [electronic] device ... could become an epidemic which would both be very unattractive to those observing our proceedings and also diminish the power of our debates. MPs should be in the chamber of the House of Commons and in committee to listen carefully to arguments advanced by colleagues and be ready to intervene or reply in their own speeches," he apparently added.
Parliamentary rules on using Twitter have apparently been confused since the deputy speaker told MPs not to use the micro blogging service in the house, in January.
The committee reportedly acknowledged that there could be problems if MPs used electronic devices inappropriately, especially to influence other MPs in the Commons or embarrassed themselves with their communications.
Knight reportedly said: "Rightly, there would be an outcry if, whilst a minister was announcing deaths in Afghanistan, someone was tweeting about their holidays ... but we are relying on the good sense of members. To pretend this [technology] doesn't exist would just be backwards."
It is believed that 225 MPs now use Twitter regularly and that many MPs had their say during the committee's consultation period on the changes.
The final decision will be made by a vote in the Commons in the next couple of months and if the changes do get the go-ahead a 1 year trial will commence.