When television cameras were first allowed into the Commons in 1989, viewers were warned about "doughnutting".
This is the practice - which was already familiar in countries with televised Parliaments - where MPs gather around whichever of their colleagues is on their feet (like a ring doughnut, geddit?) in order to create the impression that there is a packed chamber, full of rapt politicians.
Well, I have just been sent the below photo by the author of the excellent Letters from A Tory blog, which was taken in the European Parliament in Strasbourg yesterday.
Gordon Brown is ringed in red, and if I'm not very much mistaken, the seats directly behind him are all taken, whilst elsewhere in the chamber, there is a considerable number of empty seats...