“Peers are to be allowed to use iPads and other mobile internet devices inside the House of Lords, in a rule change that edges them ahead of MPs in technological terms,” Christopher Williams reports for The Telegraph.
“The Lords Administration and Works Committee said in a new report that current restrictions are ‘incomplete, outdated and contradictory,'” Williams reports. “For a trial period of one year, it is proposed that peers should allowed to refer to handheld electronic devices including all tablets, smartphones and ebook readers, during debates, provided they are set to silent. Laptops are to remain outlawed.”
Williams reports, “Internet-enabled Lords will be restricted in what they are allowed to browse, however… [and] peers may do well to heed it. They received a cautionary lesson in public iPad use this week from the Italian politician Simeone Di Cagno Abbrescia, who was caught on camera in Parliament browsing an escort agency website. He claimed the incident was the result of ‘just curiosity,’ and inexperience using the device.”
Read more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: Welcome to the future, The Right Honourable the Lords Spiritual and Temporal of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in Parliament assembled!
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “Elboe” for the heads up.]
That’s exactly why there were escorts on my iPad at work too. Those damn web browsers are just so tricky to get the hang of.
Can’t see Lord Sugar of Amstrad using one!!
“Oh I say Fergie what’s an iPad? Are they allowing these newfangled devices into the House of Lords now? Whenever will it end? These crafty Americans are forever coming out with new things.”
“Hear, hear, Finlayson, I’ll second that. Anyway hold that thought will you, I don’t know what’s the front from the back of an iPad. And what’s that fruit logo scrawled on the middle there? Is one supposed to touch it?”
“Not at all Fergie, can’t you see that if you touch that fruit logo, Baroness Thatcher will come along and thwack you on the head, like a schoolmistress.”
“Oh I say Finlayson, did you say schoolmistress? That reminds me, I have to pop by Eton for a spot of rugby. But after that I’ll be off to Madame Hotstuff for a bit of hanky panky with the schoolmistress there. Rather dandy woman that. Paddles my bum till they’re nice and red.”
“Oh God, Fergie how I wish Baroness Thatcher were here to give me six of the best! I rather deserve a beating!”
Love it!
He he “welcome to the future”? Maybe even welcome to the present.
Appointed politicians! I’m still pissed off that Canada inherited that BS from you limey bastards.
You’re a charming piece of work aren’t you?
I’ve been to Canada and thought the people were cool, until now.
I’m not even going to bother to comment on your rude attitude.
Just goes to show how technology may be advanced but some peoples nature and lack or respect in is the dark ages.
ThInk you batter go back to your cave and rethink your attitude to other cultures.
Then come back when you grow a brain.
I don’t mind the exosure Apple is getting from this story, but why does the heading say “iPads” when it is ANY handheld device and tablet that can be used? “handheld electronic devices including all tablets, smartphones and ebook readers” Is The Telegraph trying to get more hits on Apples coattails?
I think the rule change was driven by the Peers’ desire to use iPads.
Maybe they should be classified on the basis of whether a mobile device has a noisy keyboard or not.
MDN take. Such wicked accuracy. It does make one wonder …