Away from the Floor

Outside the Debating Chamber

On normal sitting days many MPs will have many other duties to perform outside the Debating Chamber. When not taking part in debates, MPs hold discussions with speakers from government ministries, give press interviews, receive visitors from their constituencies, meet school classes or prepare speeches or contributions to discussions in their parliamentary offices. Although all these duties mean it is not possible for MPs to be continuously present in the Debating Chamber, the public address system ensures that they are nonetheless always aware about what is currently being debated on the floor of the house.