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1277736

	registered interest
	date	18/01/2021
	answering body	House of Commons Commission
	answering dept id	18
	answering dept short name	House of Commons Commission
	answering dept sort name	House of Commons Commission
	hansard heading	House of Commons: Coronavirus
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the hon. Member for Perth and North Perthshire, representing the House of Commons Commission, what assessment has been made of trends in the level of sickness-related absence of staff working on the Parliamentary estate since March 2020.
	tabling member constituency	Easington
	tabling member printed	Grahame Morris
	uin	138925
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/01/2021 answer text <p>Levels of sickness absence are regularly reviewed and discussed weekly in the Covid operations group and in the weekly Trade Union meetings.</p><p>Sickness data is recorded for staff where they are unavailable to work due to illness. As the estate has seen different levels of required staff attendance over the last 12 months, comparison between periods is of limited use.</p><p>Absence rates have been reviewed against those from other areas of the public sector. Increases in absence can be identified in March 2020, December 2020 and January 2021.</p><p>The absence rates in the House have remained at comparable levels to previous years and below the wider public sector.</p><p /><table><tbody><tr><td><p><strong>Description</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>APR</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>MAY</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>JUN</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>JUL</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>AUG</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>SEPT</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>OCT</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>NOV</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>DEC</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Average working days lost per employee</p></td><td><p>5.09</p></td><td><p>4.94</p></td><td><p>4.71</p></td><td><p>4.66</p></td><td><p>4.58</p></td><td><p>4.43</p></td><td><p>4.33</p></td><td><p>4.23</p></td><td><p>5.39</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>% long term sick</p></td><td><p>58.55%</p></td><td><p>59.24%</p></td><td><p>59.09%</p></td><td><p>61.33%</p></td><td><p>62.01%</p></td><td><p>62.10%</p></td><td><p>63.68%</p></td><td><p>66.06%</p></td><td><p>52.61%</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p /><p>Please note the data is based on a rolling 12-month period, so the data for December 2020 is from 01/01/2020 to 31/12/2020.</p><p>The average working days lost per employee is the number of working days lost in the rolling 12-month period divided by the staff headcount.</p><p>The % long term sick is the percentage of sickness absences which were part of a period of absence of over 28 calendar days in the rolling 12-month period.</p> answering member constituency Perth and North Perthshire answering member printed Pete Wishart question first answered 26/01/2021 18:39:32 answering member 1440 label Biography information for Pete Wishart previous answer version 76239 answering member constituency Perth and North Perthshire answering member printed Pete Wishart answering member 1440 label Biography information for Pete Wishart
	tabling member	3973 label Biography information for Grahame Morris

1182690

	registered interest
	date	04/03/2020
	answering body	House of Commons Commission
	answering dept id	18
	answering dept short name	House of Commons Commission
	answering dept sort name	House of Commons Commission
	hansard heading	House of Commons: Staff
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the hon. Member for Perth and North Perthshire, representing the House of Commons Commission, which nationalities are represented among House of Commons staff.
	tabling member constituency	Edinburgh West
	tabling member printed	Christine Jardine
	uin	25179
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/03/2020 answer text <p>Excluding staff in the Parliamentary Digital Service, the nationalities represented among House of Commons staff are in the Table attached.</p> answering member constituency Perth and North Perthshire answering member printed Pete Wishart question first answered 10/03/2020 18:28:05 answering member 1440 label Biography information for Pete Wishart attachment 1 file name HoC-Nationalities-of-staff.pdf title Nationalities represented among HoC staff previous answer version 11399 answering member constituency Perth and North Perthshire answering member printed Pete Wishart answering member 1440 label Biography information for Pete Wishart
	tabling member	4634 label Biography information for Christine Jardine

1278378

	registered interest
	date	19/01/2021
	answering body	House of Commons Commission
	answering dept id	18
	answering dept short name	House of Commons Commission
	answering dept sort name	House of Commons Commission
	hansard heading	Parliamentary Estate: Coronavirus
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the hon. Member for Perth and North Perthshire, representing the House of Commons Commission, what advice has been received since November 2020 from Public Health England on the risks of people continuing to work on the Parliamentary estate contracting covid-19; and if he will publish that advice.
	tabling member constituency	Glasgow South West
	tabling member printed	Chris Stephens
	uin	140174
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/01/2021 answer text <p>Public Health England has supported the House in responding to Covid-19 throughout the past 12 months. Its advice, in conjunction with the working safely guidance which is available to all workplaces, has been incorporated into the <em>Working safely on the Parliamentary estate during the coronavirus outbreak risk assessment</em>. This document has been updated to reflect any changes any in the situation, with the most recent published on 14 January. The assessment is available for anyone to view on the Parliamentary website:</p><p><a href="https://www.parliament.uk/contentassets/d23db9b1eb174243ae97bda14ca82613/hop-v4-hop-covid-risk-assessment--issued.pdf" target="_blank">https://www.parliament.uk/contentassets/d23db9b1eb174243ae97bda14ca82613/hop-v4-hop-covid-risk-assessment--issued.pdf</a></p> answering member constituency Perth and North Perthshire answering member printed Pete Wishart question first answered 26/01/2021 17:42:39 answering member 1440 label Biography information for Pete Wishart previous answer version 76986 answering member constituency Perth and North Perthshire answering member printed Pete Wishart answering member 1440 label Biography information for Pete Wishart
	tabling member	4463 label Biography information for Chris Stephens

1278380

	registered interest
	date	19/01/2021
	answering body	House of Commons Commission
	answering dept id	18
	answering dept short name	House of Commons Commission
	answering dept sort name	House of Commons Commission
	hansard heading	Parliamentary Estate: Coronavirus
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the hon. Member for Perth and North Perthshire, representing the House of Commons Commission, what recommendations have been received from Public Health England since November 2020 on the circumstances in which the suspension of work on the Parliamentary estate would be advisable owing to the increased risk of infection from covid-19.
	tabling member constituency	Glasgow South West
	tabling member printed	Chris Stephens
	uin	140175
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/01/2021 answer text <p>Public Health England has confirmed that the measures put in place to ensure the House remains Covid secure are appropriate to manage the risk of infection. As the risks are being managed, Public Health England has issued no advice around where suspension of work on the estate may be necessary.</p> answering member constituency Perth and North Perthshire answering member printed Pete Wishart question first answered 26/01/2021 17:44:08 answering member 1440 label Biography information for Pete Wishart previous answer version 76987 answering member constituency Perth and North Perthshire answering member printed Pete Wishart answering member 1440 label Biography information for Pete Wishart
	tabling member	4463 label Biography information for Chris Stephens

1462610

	registered interest
	date	12/05/2022
	answering body	House of Commons Commission
	answering dept id	18
	answering dept short name	House of Commons Commission
	answering dept sort name	House of Commons Commission
	hansard heading	Opening of Parliament: Costs
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the hon. Member for Broxbourne, representing the House of Commons Commission, what the cost to the House administration has been in (a) preparing and conducting the State Opening of Parliament and (b) providing officials with ceremonial garments for the State Opening of Parliament in each of the last five years.
	tabling member constituency	Arfon
	tabling member printed	Hywel Williams
	uin	1111
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/05/2022 answer text <p>The main costs incurred for State Opening relate to maintenance works to support areas such as broadcasting and digital, as well as the installation works for the Royal Gallery, Robing Room, House of Lords Chamber and other areas. Costs are incurred for labour, both directly employed and specialist contractors, as well as transportation for items held in storage off site and the works required to the security barriers around St Stephens entrance.</p><p>Costs are split between the House of Commons, who pay 60%, and the House of Lords, who pay 40%. The table shows the House of Commons share for the last five years. Data for May 2022 is not yet available. In 2018 and 2020 there was no State Opening, while there were two in 2019.</p><p /> <p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p><em>£, House of Commons share</em></p></td><td><p>2017</p></td><td><p>2018</p></td><td><p>2019</p></td><td><p>2020</p></td><td><p>2021</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Staff salaries</p></td><td><p>25,216</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td><p>33,516</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td><p>18,740</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Other staff costs</p></td><td><p>224</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td><p>309</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Direct works</p></td><td><p>125,545</p></td><td><p>4,374</p></td><td><p>320,090</p></td><td><p>-594</p></td><td><p>107,628</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Other</p></td><td><p>10,341</p></td><td><p>11,050</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td><p>10,622</p></td><td><p>10,710</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Total (House of Commons)</p></td><td><p>161,326</p></td><td><p>15,424</p></td><td><p>353,606</p></td><td><p>10,028</p></td><td><p>137,387</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br>Other minor identifiable costs for the House of Commons not related to maintenance for State Opening in 2022 are shown in the table below.</p><p /> <p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p>Security pass provision (Commons share of 70%): £2,500</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>British Sign Language provision and audio description: £1,400</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br>Ceremonial dress is purchased for roles in the House of Commons when needed during the year or when postholders change. Data on ceremonial uniform costs cannot be separated from other uniform spending.</p><p /> <p>Chamber related teams, including Clerks, the Speaker and their office, the Serjeant and their team of doorkeepers, require uniform supplies throughout the year. Total uniform expenditure for these functions over the last five years is shown below. Most of this spend relates to uniform for day to day use during the normal business of the House as well as supporting events and work outside the Chamber.</p><p /> <p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p> </p></td><td><p><strong>2017/18</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>2018/19</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>2019/20</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>2020/21</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>2021/22</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Uniform expenditure (Clerks, Speaker team, Serjeant team)</p></td><td><p>£17,824</p></td><td><p>£13,403</p></td><td><p>£25,607</p></td><td><p>£25,197</p></td><td><p>£23,285</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p>This answer does not represent the full cost of State Opening, or costs directly incurred by the House of Lords. Costs will also have been incurred by other bodies, which may include Westminster City Council, the Metropolitan Police and the Royal Household.</p> answering member constituency Broxbourne answering member printed Sir Charles Walker question first answered 20/05/2022 12:32:46 answering member 1493 label Biography information for Sir Charles Walker previous answer version 816 answering member constituency Broxbourne answering member printed Sir Charles Walker answering member 1493 label Biography information for Sir Charles Walker
	tabling member	1397 label Biography information for Hywel Williams

1401812

	registered interest
	date	11/01/2022
	answering body	House of Commons Commission
	answering dept id	18
	answering dept short name	House of Commons Commission
	answering dept sort name	House of Commons Commission
	hansard heading	House of Commons: Dismissal
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the hon. Member for Broxbourne, representing the House of Commons Commission, what the Commission's policy is on the use of non-disclosure agreements as part of employment severance agreements.
	tabling member constituency	Basingstoke
	tabling member printed	Mrs Maria Miller
	uin	101660
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/01/2022 answer text <p>The House of Commons does not include a non-disclosure clause as standard in severance (settlement) agreements with employees. The House hasn’t included them as standard since 2015, and has not used any since 2018, but there is not a blanket policy in place preventing the House from using one in appropriate circumstances.</p> answering member constituency Broxbourne answering member printed Sir Charles Walker question first answered 19/01/2022 16:04:16 answering member 1493 label Biography information for Sir Charles Walker previous answer version 43498 answering member constituency Broxbourne answering member printed Sir Charles Walker answering member 1493 label Biography information for Sir Charles Walker
	tabling member	1480 label Biography information for Dame Maria Miller

1401813

	registered interest
	date	11/01/2022
	answering body	House of Commons Commission
	answering dept id	18
	answering dept short name	House of Commons Commission
	answering dept sort name	House of Commons Commission
	hansard heading	House of Commons: Dismissal
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the hon. Member for Broxbourne, representing the House of Commons Commission, how many House of Commons employment severance agreements included the use of a non-disclosure agreement in each of the last five years.
	tabling member constituency	Basingstoke
	tabling member printed	Mrs Maria Miller
	uin	101661
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/01/2022 answer text <p>The House’s approach to the use of NDA clauses follows the 2015 Cabinet Office Guidance on Settlement Agreements, Special Severance Payments and Confidentiality Clauses on Termination of Employment. Since January 2015, it was decided that NDA clauses should no longer be included as a matter of course. Each case is considered on its merits.</p><p>The figures for each of the last five years are:</p><p>2021 – nil</p><p>2020 – nil</p><p>2019 – nil</p><p>2018 – 2 agreements with NDAs</p><p>2017 – 6 agreements with NDAs</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Broxbourne answering member printed Sir Charles Walker question first answered 17/01/2022 14:29:32 answering member 1493 label Biography information for Sir Charles Walker previous answer version 43499 answering member constituency Broxbourne answering member printed Sir Charles Walker answering member 1493 label Biography information for Sir Charles Walker
	tabling member	1480 label Biography information for Dame Maria Miller

1401817

	registered interest
	date	11/01/2022
	answering body	House of Commons Commission
	answering dept id	18
	answering dept short name	House of Commons Commission
	answering dept sort name	House of Commons Commission
	hansard heading	House of Commons: Dismissal
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the hon. Member for Broxbourne, representing the House of Commons Commission, what the Commission's policy is on the use of non-disclosure agreements in employment severance agreements by organisations supplying goods and services.
	tabling member constituency	Basingstoke
	tabling member printed	Mrs Maria Miller
	uin	101663
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/01/2022 answer text <p>No such policy exists nor is one in active contemplation. The use of non-disclosure agreements in severance agreements is widespread and lawful.</p><p>In entering into contracts with other organisations, we do not want to restrict their freedom of action in dealing with their own staff in line with their own terms and conditions and in accordance with the law. This is important in ensuring that our contracts are not onerous to manage for either party.</p> answering member constituency Broxbourne answering member printed Sir Charles Walker question first answered 17/01/2022 18:08:01 answering member 1493 label Biography information for Sir Charles Walker previous answer version 43500 answering member constituency Broxbourne answering member printed Sir Charles Walker answering member 1493 label Biography information for Sir Charles Walker
	tabling member	1480 label Biography information for Dame Maria Miller

1665453

	registered interest
	date	17/10/2023
	answering body	House of Commons Commission
	answering dept id	18
	answering dept short name	House of Commons Commission
	answering dept sort name	House of Commons Commission
	hansard heading	Parliamentary Estate: Buildings
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the hon. Member for Broxbourne, representing the House of Commons Commission, how many buildings on the parliamentary estate are constructed with reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete.
	tabling member constituency	City of Durham
	tabling member printed	Mary Kelly Foy
	uin	203127
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/10/2023 answer text <p>Completed surveys have identified some elements of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete in the Palace of Westminster. Fifteen other areas are in the process of being assessed, 11 within the Palace and four within other buildings on the parliamentary estate.</p> answering member constituency Broxbourne answering member printed Sir Charles Walker question first answered 25/10/2023 14:42:08 answering member 1493 label Biography information for Sir Charles Walker previous answer version 99569 answering member constituency Broxbourne answering member printed Sir Charles Walker answering member 1493 label Biography information for Sir Charles Walker
	tabling member	4753 label Biography information for Mary Kelly Foy

1541502

	registered interest
	date	11/11/2022
	answering body	House of Commons Commission
	answering dept id	18
	answering dept short name	House of Commons Commission
	answering dept sort name	House of Commons Commission
	hansard heading	Speaker's Counsel: Operating Costs
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the hon. Member for Broxbourne, representing the House of Commons Commission, what the cost of operating the Office of Speaker’s Counsel was in the most recent year for which figures are available.
	tabling member constituency	Clwyd West
	tabling member printed	Mr David Jones
	uin	84826
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/11/2022 answer text <p>The spend on the Office of Speaker’s Counsel for the financial year 2021/22 was £1.85m. The Office of Speaker’s Counsel provides legal advice to the Speaker, the Clerk and all departments of the House of Commons, as well as managing all litigation involving the Commission, the Corporate Officer or the Speaker. It also provides advice to Select Committees of the House.</p> answering member constituency Broxbourne answering member printed Sir Charles Walker question first answered 18/11/2022 08:46:03 answering member 1493 label Biography information for Sir Charles Walker previous answer version 34977 answering member constituency Broxbourne answering member printed Sir Charles Walker answering member 1493 label Biography information for Sir Charles Walker
	tabling member	1502 label Biography information for Mr David Jones