Commons staff 'to learn manners'

Doorkeepers and other staff who attend to MPs at the House of Commons are to be given lessons in politeness and "customer care". Some of the most experienced members of the Serjeant at Arms department are said to be upset by the plans which they regard as unnecessary. It could mean they have to give up their usual four weeks holiday during the general election campaign to sit in classrooms.

Several MPs are furious at the scheme. Liberal Democrat Paul Tyler said the plan was "trying to teach grandfathers to suck eggs". A member of the Serjeant at Arms staff said: "You can never say that you are too good to learn. You can always learn and improve and this is the objective of the exercise."