What should we do?

jungle_jane

DOT sounds like a robot!

oneye14

from
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4667955

House of Commons Rep (DOT)
"Official Organisation Representative I am the official organisation representative of the House of Commons.

Having read a 'job description' for a DOT (Digital Outreach Team) officer it is unclear whether the you could be truly regarded as 'representative'. Perhaps you could clarify this point.

No response to date..

unholyangel

oneye14 wrote: »

Patience is a virtue -
let us assume it takes several days to to get round to constructive answers........ :cool:

Constructive? Or an answer that seems to answer your question on the face of it, but doesnt really.

The government excel at answering questions without ever giving a completely straight answer.

MPs...nothing more than literate Vicky Pollards :rotfl:

UKParliament

originalbob wrote: »

Ok-let's try this.I consider that I don't get good value for money for that element of my tax bill which goes to support the parliamentary machine.What are the annual operation costs of the House of Commons, and what measures are in place to control/reduce the operating costs?

Hi originalbob

Thank you for your question.

The House of Commons corporate business plan for 2013-14 to 2015-16 includes information on operating costs and savings:
http://www.parliament.uk/documents/commons-commission/Commons_Management_Board/CBP-2013-WEB.pdf

Sorry for not being able to reply til now but our main focus is going to be on posting information on relevant debates or questions in the House of Commons on consumer affairs issues, or indeed any other subject that we think might be of interest to MSEers.

For a faster reply to any question on the work, history and membership of the House of Commons, please feel free to email the House of Commons Information Office at hcinfo@parliament.uk – they will respond to most emails within one working day.

Thanks
DOT

tattycath

So are all the facilities that are paid for by MPs etc run as a proper business or is it all a not for profit organisation seeing as though taxpayers are subsidising the bars etc?
If it is not for profit, why is this?

Tryingagainandagain

This appears to be an attempt to score a marking on the Public Engagement Key Performance Indicator - where every branch of every civil service department is given a target to inform and educate the public on their roles and functions.

It's importance increases or diminishes according to that year's "business plan" - and of course the whim of the government.

In one sense it is a good idea as the public need to be informed about their public services, however the imposition of these targets leads to some spurious events for some, where even covering the basic, core roles is a struggle in these times of staff losses and increasing austerity.

In my old department (and I wasn't in any "head office") we ended up handing out information leaflets at public events at the weekend instead of being able to go into schools etc, as we could not spare the time out of the working day.

We did not get paid, and indeed it was fun, but few people were really getting more than a leaflet and a pen because they were just passing through.


I admit I know little about the house of commons - my view of politicians is that they are a group of people who are always saying they make tough decisions.

Claptrap - making the decisions is not tough - trying to implement them is tough and living with the consequences of them (eg benefit cuts) is a bloody sight tougher.



Anyway - on to DOT.
Why are there bars selling alcohol in the House of Commons - as civil servants are not allowed to drink in their offices?


Yet again, one rule for one.........................

John_Pierpoint

Tryingagainandagain wrote: »

Anyway - on to DOT.
Why are there bars selling alcohol in the House of Commons - as civil servants are not allowed to drink in their offices?


Yet again, one rule for one.........................

I seem to remember that once upon a time HMC&E used to have a very reasonably priced bar in their basement - would that have been Kingsbeam House ?

steampowered

ILW wrote: »

Why are many members who were caught being less than honest with their expenses, still members and drawing salaries?

This is an easy one. Its because the public voted them back in at the 2010 election.

We live in a democracy: the people decide who gets to be an MP through elections, not the House of Commons.

Tryingagainandagain

John_Pierpoint wrote: »

I seem to remember that once upon a time HMC&E used to have a very reasonably priced bar in their basement - would that have been Kingsbeam House ?

Don't know - no office I've ever worked in has had a bar:(

Perhaps I was just unlucky.

Chickabiddybex

For God's sake we're being offered the chance to ask proper questions about the HoC and you're asking about the bars??? ;D

DOT perhaps you could give some clarification as to what sorts of questions we would benefit the most from asking you?