MPs back use of mobile devices in debates

The House of Commons has given the green light to MPs who want to use hand-held electronic devices in the main chamber and committee rooms.

MPs passed without a vote a motion by the Procedure Committee to allow mobile devices such as phones and tablet PCs - but not laptops - to be used during debates, provided they are silent and used in a way that does not "impair decorum".

MPs also rejected a bid by some to restrict the use of such devices - effectively barring MPs the use of social media such as Twitter - by 206 votes to 63, a majority of 143.

Moving the amendment in the Commons on 13 October 2011, Conservative James Gray argued that "unfettered" use of electronic devices would impact on the quality of debate and could encourage outsiders, such as lobbyists, to access MPs during debates for their advantage.

Under his plan MPs would only be allowed to send or receive urgent messages via electronic devices.

But Labour's Chris Bryant questioned who would decide what an urgent message was, drumming up images of the Speaker charging over to a member in the chamber demanding to know what they had been sent.

He proposed that "the horse has already bolted", reeling off a list of MPs' Twitter accounts to make the point that social media is already widely used by members.

Fellow Labour MP Luciana Berger opposed the idea of banning tweeting from the chamber. She argued that MPs were capable of exercising discretion when using mobile devices in the chamber.

Conservative Robert Halfon argued that Twitter enabled MPs to broadcast to their constituents without having to rely on the more conventional methods, and Liberal Democrat Jo Swinson highlighted how it enables better communication between MPs and the public.

Conservative MP Sir Alan Haselhurst, a former deputy Speaker, warned the devices could be used for "all sorts of purposes" - such as watching live cricket during debates - and the Speaker would have no way of knowing what MPs were doing on them.

The debate also covered parliamentary effectiveness with regards to select committees, explanatory statements on amendments to bills and written parliamentary questions.