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1020302

registered interest
date	05/12/2018
answering body	The Senior Deputy Speaker
answering dept id	204
answering dept short name
answering dept sort name	Senior Deputy Speaker (HoL)
hansard heading	House of Lords: Staff
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker, further to the Written Answer by the Chairman of Committees on 25 February 2009 (HL Deb, col 89W), how many staff of the House of Lords are employed exclusively or primarily on press and public relations; and whether he has made an assessment of how this figure now compares with the number of staff employed for the same purpose by (1) the House of Commons, and (2) the Scottish Parliament.
tabling member printed	Lord Norton of Louth
uin	HL12086
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/12/2018 answer text <p>Both Houses and the Scottish Parliament organise their communications/press and public relations functions in different ways which makes it hard to compare figures directly. Consequently, the figures below simply compare the number of FTEs employed predominantly on dealing with press/media.</p><p> </p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p> </p></td><td><p><strong>House of Lords</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>House of Commons</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Scottish Parliament</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>FTEs employed on press/media</strong></p></td><td><p>5</p></td><td><p>19</p></td><td><p>7</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br> <br>These figures do not include staff employed by either House or the Scottish Parliament on marketing, digital communications, public information, visitor services, education and engagement all of which contribute to their work on public relations. We do not hold these figures in respect of the House of Commons and Scottish Parliament.</p><p><br>No assessment has been made of how these figures compare with each other.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord McFall of Alcluith question first answered 20/12/2018 16:00:19 answering member 4148 label Biography information for Lord McFall of Alcluith
tabling member	3187 label Biography information for Lord Norton of Louth

1020039

registered interest
date	04/12/2018
answering body	The Senior Deputy Speaker
answering dept id	204
answering dept short name
answering dept sort name	Senior Deputy Speaker (HoL)
hansard heading	Palace of Westminster: Fire Regulations
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker what assessment he has made of the impact of the manual fire safety call points on the visual appearance of the Palace of Westminster; and what consideration was given to alternative means of advertising call points and fire safety instructions in keeping with the heritage of the Palace.
tabling member printed	Lord Blencathra
uin	HL12014
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/12/2018 answer text <p>The Senior Deputy Speaker has asked me, as Chairman of the Services Committee, to respond on his behalf.</p><p>The “totem” manual fire safety call points are designed for highly significant interiors within the Palace, where fixing escape signs and manual call points to the historic fabric is not acceptable. Following consultation with Historic England, it was agreed that free standing signage was the best option in those spaces, to reduce physical impact on the Palace.</p><p>The patinated brass finish used in the frame was chosen to blend in with the timber joinery and reference the Victorian brass fittings found throughout the Palace. The colours used for the signage differ slightly from the British Standards; the colours were chosen to minimise the visual impact on interiors, whilst remaining legible to direct people in the case of an emergency.</p> answering member printed Lord Laming question first answered 18/12/2018 14:17:22 answering member 2079 label Biography information for Lord Laming
tabling member	497 label Biography information for Lord Blencathra

1019270

registered interest
date	03/12/2018
answering body	The Senior Deputy Speaker
answering dept id	204
answering dept short name
answering dept sort name	Senior Deputy Speaker (HoL)
hansard heading	Bills: Parliamentary Scrutiny
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker, further to the Government’s response to the report of the Constitution Committee, Parliament and the Legislative Process, published on 20 April 2005 (HL Paper 114), whether the Procedure Committee will consider the recommendation that bills should normally be committed after Second Reading to a committee empowered to take evidence.
tabling member printed	Lord Hunt of Kings Heath
uin	HL11959
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/12/2018 answer text <p>In 2005, when it responded to the Constitution Committee’s report, Parliament and the Legislative Process, the Government was “not convinced that it would be appropriate to commit all bills which have not been scrutinised in draft to an evidence-taking committee after Second Reading but we are ready to consider this option in exceptional circumstances (and have done in the past).” <br> <br>I am aware that the idea that bills should normally be committed after Second Reading to a committee empowered to take evidence is under fresh consideration by the Constitution Committee as part of its current inquiry on the legislative process, stage 2 of which is covering the passage of legislation through Parliament. Written and oral evidence received as part of that inquiry is available here - https://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/lords-select/constitution-committee/inquiries/parliament-2017/legislative-process/. I am looking forward to the Committee’s report and any recommendations it might make on this and other matters. The Procedure Committee will give it due consideration then.</p> answering member printed Lord McFall of Alcluith question first answered 18/12/2018 12:58:07 answering member 4148 label Biography information for Lord McFall of Alcluith
tabling member	2024 label Biography information for Lord Hunt of Kings Heath

1017057

registered interest
date	28/11/2018
answering body	The Senior Deputy Speaker
answering dept id	204
answering dept short name
answering dept sort name	Senior Deputy Speaker (HoL)
hansard heading	Hereditary Peers: By-elections
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker, further to the Written Answers by the Chairman of Committees (Lord Laming) on 12 May 2016 (HL8153) and the Senior Deputy Speaker (Lord McFall of Alcluith) on 26 November (HL11454), why the cost of a Liberal Democrat hereditary peers' by-election, payable to Electoral Reform Services, has risen from £300 to £570.
tabling member printed	Lord Grocott
uin	HL11902
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/12/2018 answer text <p>The costs differ as, exceptionally, Electoral Reform Services were not involved in the print and distribution of the voting packs for the Liberal Democrat by-election in 2016. On that occasion, these tasks were handled by a member of House staff. The £570 figure quoted is from the successful tender submitted by Electoral Reform Services whom we expect to carry out all functions in future by-elections.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord McFall of Alcluith question first answered 12/12/2018 13:35:18 answering member 4148 label Biography information for Lord McFall of Alcluith
tabling member	276 label Biography information for Lord Grocott

1013199

registered interest
date	23/11/2018
answering body	The Senior Deputy Speaker
answering dept id	204
answering dept short name
answering dept sort name	Senior Deputy Speaker (HoL)
hansard heading	House of Lords: Catering
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker whether House of Lords catering services are subject to food hygiene inspections by Westminster Health Authority; and if so, (1) what Food Hygiene Rating each Lords catering outlet achieved at their most recent inspection, and (2) whether outlets are required to display a Food Hygiene Rating Sticker.
tabling member printed	Lord Storey
uin	HL11759
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/11/2018 answer text <p>The Senior Deputy Speaker has asked me, as Chairman of the Services Committee, to respond on his behalf.</p><p>As registered food premises, the House of Lords catering facilities are subject to inspections from Westminster City Council (WCC). At the last inspection in November 2017, the Environmental Health Officer from WCC Food Safety Team awarded the highest rating of 5 for all House of Lords catering outlets in the Palace of Westminster; Millbank House facilities were inspected in November 2016 and also received a 5 rating. It is a recommendation but not a legal requirement to display the food hygiene rating sticker. The House of Lords rating stickers are currently displayed in the River Restaurant and Millbank House Cafeteria.</p> answering member printed Lord Laming question first answered 29/11/2018 11:48:49 answering member 2079 label Biography information for Lord Laming
tabling member	4238 label Biography information for Lord Storey

1007913

registered interest
date	15/11/2018
answering body	The Senior Deputy Speaker
answering dept id	204
answering dept short name
answering dept sort name	Senior Deputy Speaker (HoL)
hansard heading	Abingdon Green: Media
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker what assessment he has made of the disruption caused by the media’s use of College Green; and what consideration, if any, is being given to the establishment of a permanent media centre elsewhere on the Parliamentary Estate.
tabling member printed	Lord Hylton
uin	HL11523
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/11/2018 answer text <p>Abingdon Green is owned by the House of Commons but day to day access is delegated by the Clerk of the House to Black Rod. Current policy is to allow public access to the Green to enable them to pass through on the paths or to use it as a recreational space. Because of the unique views that the Green affords to Parliament, we also allow the media to use the Green for the contemporaneous news reporting of events within Parliament on the basis that this is an important way of communicating to the public the political issues that are taking place. We do not permit protests or campaigning on the Green.</p><p>There are occasions when events in Parliament create exceptional media activity and demand for broadcasting space on the Green. When this occurs, we conduct a careful assessment on whether to prioritise broadcasting over public access and where the balance of public interest lies. Although we prefer to maintain dual use of the Green by public and media, on some occasions we assess that reporting from the Green must be prioritised and that it is necessary to close it to the public for safety reasons. Not to do so would limit the ability of a wide section of the broadcast media, both national, international and radio to provide high quality coverage of unfolding events in Parliament and interview the politicians involved in a secure manner.</p><p>Regarding a permanent media centre, no consideration is currently being given to this. Most media (including broadcast) arrangements are covered through the existing press lobby arrangements. Under this, nominated members of the media are accredited with membership of the Press Gallery and allocated desk space within the House of Commons and given press passes which allow access to the building. This is a long standing arrangement administered by the House of Commons with well understood rules which enables open media access to Parliament to be maintained within manageable levels.</p><p>Additionally, as well as Abingdon Green, there are broadcast points within both Houses which are used by UK domestic broadcasters for the reporting of Parliamentary business.</p><p><strong> </strong></p> answering member printed Lord McFall of Alcluith question first answered 28/11/2018 13:58:06 answering member 4148 label Biography information for Lord McFall of Alcluith
tabling member	2018 label Biography information for Lord Hylton

1006673

registered interest
date	13/11/2018
answering body	The Senior Deputy Speaker
answering dept id	204
answering dept short name
answering dept sort name	Senior Deputy Speaker (HoL)
hansard heading	Hereditary Peers: By-elections
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker who tendered for the contract to supervise by-elections for hereditary peers; and which tender was successful.
tabling member printed	Lord Grocott
uin	HL11453
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/11/2018 answer text <p>ERS, Kanto Elect and UK Engage responded to the invitation to tender. ERS was the successful applicant.</p> answering member printed Lord McFall of Alcluith question first answered 26/11/2018 15:41:56 answering member 4148 label Biography information for Lord McFall of Alcluith
tabling member	276 label Biography information for Lord Grocott

1006674

registered interest
date	13/11/2018
answering body	The Senior Deputy Speaker
answering dept id	204
answering dept short name
answering dept sort name	Senior Deputy Speaker (HoL)
hansard heading	Hereditary Peers: By-elections
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker what is the overall cost, including the cost to the House Authorities, of the contract to supervise by-elections for hereditary peers; whether that cost is paid annually or per by-election; and whether the cost is dependent on the number of candidates or electors.
tabling member printed	Lord Grocott
uin	HL11454
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/11/2018 answer text <p>The costs are paid per by-election. Costs vary according to the number of electors. The current cost of a whole House by-election is £1440; a Labour or Liberal Democrat by-election costs £570, and a Conservative or Crossbench by-election costs £600; all costs are inclusive of VAT. This is in addition to the cost of House of Lords staff time spent organising the by-election which forms part of their normal duties and is not costed separately.</p> answering member printed Lord McFall of Alcluith question first answered 26/11/2018 15:41:39 answering member 4148 label Biography information for Lord McFall of Alcluith
tabling member	276 label Biography information for Lord Grocott

1006675

registered interest
date	13/11/2018
answering body	The Senior Deputy Speaker
answering dept id	204
answering dept short name
answering dept sort name	Senior Deputy Speaker (HoL)
hansard heading	Hereditary Peers: By-elections
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker whether arrangements will be made to enable members of the House who wish to observe the count of the votes cast for the hereditary peer by-election scheduled to take place on 27 and 28 November.
tabling member printed	Lord Grocott
uin	HL11455
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/11/2018 answer text <p>A member of the relevant party or group is appointed to act as scrutineer at each count, and this will happen on 28 November when the votes (all of which will be cast by post) will be counted. There is no count on 27 November. There are no plans to make further arrangements to enable more members of the House to observe the count of the votes cast.</p> answering member printed Lord McFall of Alcluith question first answered 26/11/2018 15:41:08 answering member 4148 label Biography information for Lord McFall of Alcluith
tabling member	276 label Biography information for Lord Grocott

1006676

registered interest
date	13/11/2018
answering body	The Senior Deputy Speaker
answering dept id	204
answering dept short name
answering dept sort name	Senior Deputy Speaker (HoL)
hansard heading	Hereditary Peers: By-elections
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker whether media access will be granted to the count of votes cast for the hereditary peer by-election scheduled to take place on 27 and 28 November.
tabling member printed	Lord Grocott
uin	HL11456
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/11/2018 answer text <p>There are no plans to provide for members of the media to be present to witness the count on 28 November. There is no count on 27 November.</p> answering member printed Lord McFall of Alcluith question first answered 26/11/2018 15:39:14 answering member 4148 label Biography information for Lord McFall of Alcluith
tabling member	276 label Biography information for Lord Grocott