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EDM 860 - Internet Access from House of Commons

I placed EDM 860 on the order paper to raise the issue that MPs cannot get email from outside the Parliamentary Estate if they are attached to the Parliamentary Network.

That is because the Parliamentary Communications Department blocks port 110. Quite a few more technically able MPs who handle their own email, rather than having it forwarded to a member of staff, use more advanced systems than are available via the House of Commons.

Having circulated an email to all MPs I find one MP who uses a G3 connection like myself (but a different service provider) finds he has to wander around to get a signal to get his email. Quite a few MPs find that the rules developed by the Parliamentary Communications Department prevent them doing their job properly.

I work hard to make it relatively easy for constituents to contact me. The facilities established at substantial cost to assist this tend to prevent it.

I believe that if enough MPs sign the EDM then some cables will be replugged to make it possible to use the system to a fuller extent.

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