To think that a 25 yard shooting range on the Palace of Westminster should not be maintained and staffed at the taxpayers expense?

And that should be 'in'. We REALLY need an edit function.

Is it outdoors? What is the cost for? Cutting grass?

I agree taxpayers shouldn't have to pay for it.

In the basement of the House of Lords. The money (cost breakdown unavailable) is for maintenance, security and so Members can have 'fun' there.

I suppose we pay for the upkeep of the whole building?

Guns or archery? Or don't they use it for shooting?

A day nursery?

They have .22-calibre single shot rifles and ear defenders.

Has the basement always been used for this purpose? A historical hangover from earlier times?

As far as I know. Yes.

Shrug. So why does it suddenly matter? I presume we do pay for the upkeep of the whole palace, including bars and lounges and cafés restaurants and so forth? Taking a few shots with a rifle between debates could be quite beneficial.

Always supposing it's the ones who actually care about proper government who do it.

I don't see the connection between maintaining a public building and providing free or subsidised leisure pursuits/bars/restaurants for the occupants.

It was refurbished about 20 years ago, I think. I have no idea what that cost but I think it would have been better to have got rid of it completely then. However, I resent paying for subsidised bars and restaurants far more when MPs get feeding expenses paid to them anyway.

Many workplaces have social/sporting facilities. Why should this one be different? Nothing wrong with rifle shooting. It's an Olympic sport.

I agree with absent I would rather stop the subsidised restaurant - perhaps we would then have less comments along the lines of only the poor are fat!

Don't have a problem with there being leisure facilities but I do think they should pay a subscription to use them

Oh it just so depends on whowhat they are using for target practice

They may be part of a league club. In which case they will be using paper targets.

oh j07 - lighten up!

Gracesmum a picture of Eric Pickles?

I just wish they would give us a say when they spend our money--I know we vote, but we just vote for a person and some of his plans.

I think everytime they spend big chunks of money the population should be asked to vote, I mean can you imagine not having any say in what happened to your own take home pay, it really is the same as it is OUR money.

What do we think people!!

We are aftre all Children Of The Revolution!!

Are we?! Flip me!

I don't remember that.

It just sounded a rebelious thing to say

Mey!