Mr STEPHEN SMITH —Mr Speaker, my question is in respect of a letter to you from the president of the press gallery committee, dated 25 May 1999. The letter is in respect of a proposal by the Joint House Committee that a media licence agreement system be introduced for occupation of space in Parliament House by members of the press gallery. Mr Speaker, my question to you is: have you replied to that correspondence from the president of the parliamentary press gallery? If you have, what was your response in respect of two specific points: namely, that the introduction of a commercial rent would breach the agreement made between the Joint House Department and the gallery in 1990, when a flat-rate system fee was introduced; and, secondly, that this would be an abuse of a monopoly power, given that we would see rent increases in the order of 300 per cent? If you have not already replied to the press gallery president, when are you proposing to do so? At the same time, could you indicate to the House the attitude you take to those two points which I have raised?

Mr SPEAKER —I thank the member for Perth. I will respond to his question by indicating that I have had a question from the president of the press gallery. I will be meeting with the President of the Senate tomorrow to discuss the issue. I have already sought some legal advice on the matters he has raised and, when appropriate, I will deal with the issue as I think appropriate in terms of his question.

Mr Stephen Smith —And report to the House?

Mr SPEAKER —If necessary, and if I believe it to be appropriate.