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1299651

	registered interest
	date	04/03/2021
	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	Palace of Westminster: Repairs and Maintenance
	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 methods the House of Commons Commission has in place to scrutinise the costs of the Restoration and Renewal Programme and ensure the Sponsor Body and Delivery Authority delivers value for money.
	tabling member constituency	Bishop Auckland
	tabling member printed	Dehenna Davison
	uin	163304
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/03/2021 answer text <p>The Commissions of both Houses are responsible under the Parliamentary Buildings (Restoration &amp; Renewal) Act 2019 for setting the Phase 1 Expenditure Limit for the parliamentary building works, covering the period up to the approval of the Restoration &amp; Renewal (R&amp;R) Outline Business Case. The House of Commons Commission has to date, also received advice from the Commons Finance Committee in setting the Phase 1 Limit.</p><p>Since the creation of the Parliamentary Works Sponsor Body, the Commission has also received quarterly progress reports on the R&amp;R Programme. At its meeting on 22 February, the Commission noted the assurance and scrutiny arrangements that the Sponsor Body has established for the Programme and the opportunities to strengthen those arrangements to provide further assurance to both Houses, including on reporting progress to secure further savings against the Phase 1 Expenditure Limit. Work will take place, following publication of the Sponsor Body’s Strategic Review report, to confirm Commission and House engagement, decision points and ongoing scrutiny up to Outline Business Case approval.</p> answering member constituency Broxbourne answering member printed Sir Charles Walker question first answered 12/03/2021 17:56:38 answering member 1493 label Biography information for Sir Charles Walker
	tabling member	4737 label Biography information for Dehenna Davison

1299653

	registered interest
	date	04/03/2021
	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	Palace of Westminster: Repairs and Maintenance
	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, whether the Commission has made an assessment of the potential merits of using the restoration of the Speaker’s House as a pilot scheme for the Restoration and Renewal programme to allow parliamentarians to properly understand and anticipate the costs of the project and assess the likelihood of hidden costs.
	tabling member constituency	Bishop Auckland
	tabling member printed	Dehenna Davison
	uin	163306
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/03/2021 answer text <p>The Commission has made no assessment of the potential merits of using a restoration of the Speaker’s House as a pilot scheme for the Restoration &amp; Renewal programme.</p><p>A number of capital projects and programmes for necessary works to enable the continuing operation of the Palace of Westminster are currently ongoing, including the Cast Irons Roofs programme and the Mechanical, Electrical, Public Health and Fabric Safety programme. The Elizabeth Tower project, which began before the enactment of the legislation, is nearing its conclusion. The Commission plans for capital investment in the Palace to continue in the years running up to the start of the restoration and renewal works.</p><p>In line with best practice, the House Service will work with the Parliamentary Works Sponsor Body to ensure that any lessons learned from current and future works to the Palace are used to inform planning and preparation for the Restoration and Renewal programme.</p> answering member constituency Broxbourne answering member printed Sir Charles Walker question first answered 12/03/2021 17:59:30 answering member 1493 label Biography information for Sir Charles Walker
	tabling member	4737 label Biography information for Dehenna Davison

1299655

	registered interest
	date	04/03/2021
	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	Palace of Westminster: Repairs and Maintenance
	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, whether the Commission has considered ways in which hybrid or virtual proceedings in Parliament can (a) reduce the cost of the restoration and renewal of the Palace of Westminster and (b) minimise the need for decant during the restoration and renewal programme.
	tabling member constituency	Bishop Auckland
	tabling member printed	Dehenna Davison
	uin	163308
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/03/2021 answer text <p>The Commission has not made a formal assessment of the potential ways in which hybrid or virtual proceedings in Parliament could reduce the cost of the restoration and renewal of the Palace of Westminster or the need for decant whilst the works are underway. Whilst the Commission is keen to ensure that the plans for restoration and renewal, and for decant, represent good value-for-money, it would ultimately be for the House to determine whether to adopt different ways of working during the works to the Palace.</p><p>The Procedure Committee is currently considering changes to the procedure and practice of the House since the start of the pandemic, and lessons for any continuing or future use of hybrid and/or virtual proceedings may emerge from that work.</p> answering member constituency Broxbourne answering member printed Sir Charles Walker question first answered 12/03/2021 11:23:07 answering member 1493 label Biography information for Sir Charles Walker
	tabling member	4737 label Biography information for Dehenna Davison

1299756

	registered interest
	date	04/03/2021
	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 Broxbourne, representing the House of Commons Commission, if the Commission will publish a plan for lifting covid-19 restrictions on working practices in the House.
	tabling member constituency	Chipping Barnet
	tabling member printed	Theresa Villiers
	uin	163167
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/03/2021 answer text <p>Following a full discussion at its meeting on Monday 8th March, the House of Commons Commission published on its website a roadmap on the plans for easing restrictions. The roadmap is available at the link below:</p><p><a href="https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/348/house-of-commons-commission/news/150524/commons-roadmap-out-of-lockdown/" target="_blank">https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/348/house-of-commons-commission/news/150524/commons-roadmap-out-of-lockdown/</a></p> answering member constituency Broxbourne answering member printed Sir Charles Walker question first answered 09/03/2021 14:25:13 answering member 1493 label Biography information for Sir Charles Walker
	tabling member	1500 label Biography information for Theresa Villiers

1299758

	registered interest
	date	04/03/2021
	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	Parliament: Visits
	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, if the Commission will publish a plan for lifting covid-19 restrictions on admitting visitors to Parliament.
	tabling member constituency	Chipping Barnet
	tabling member printed	Theresa Villiers
	uin	163168
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/03/2021 answer text <p>Following a full discussion at its meeting on Monday 8th March, the House of Commons Commission published on its website a roadmap on the plans for easing restrictions: The roadmap is available at the link below:</p><p><a href="https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/348/house-of-commons-commission/news/150524/commons-roadmap-out-of-lockdown/" target="_blank">https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/348/house-of-commons-commission/news/150524/commons-roadmap-out-of-lockdown/</a></p><p>At this present time the priority of the Commission continues to be the safety of all Members and staff and the continuation of Parliamentary business. Any decisions relating to non-passholder access is a matter for the Commissions of both Houses and will be reviewed at a later point based on the current public health advice at that time.</p> answering member constituency Broxbourne answering member printed Sir Charles Walker question first answered 09/03/2021 14:27:41 answering member 1493 label Biography information for Sir Charles Walker
	tabling member	1500 label Biography information for Theresa Villiers

1299760

	registered interest
	date	04/03/2021
	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 Broxbourne, representing the House of Commons Commission, if the Commission will set a date to permit the return of hon. Members' staff to the House as covid-19 restrictions are eased.
	tabling member constituency	Chipping Barnet
	tabling member printed	Theresa Villiers
	uin	163169
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/03/2021 answer text <p>In line with Government advice and regulations, it is expected that the majority of people should continue working from home.</p><p>Following a full discussion at its meeting on Monday 8th March, the House of Commons Commission published on its website a roadmap on the plans for easing restrictions: The roadmap is available at the link below:</p><p><a href="https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/348/house-of-commons-commission/news/150524/commons-roadmap-out-of-lockdown/" target="_blank">https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/348/house-of-commons-commission/news/150524/commons-roadmap-out-of-lockdown/</a></p><p>It was agreed by the Commission that, where a Member is satisfied that a relevant exemption exists in addition to a wellbeing need, a limited number of Members’ staff may return from 9th March. This position will be reviewed at a later point based on the current public health advice at that time.</p> answering member constituency Broxbourne answering member printed Sir Charles Walker question first answered 09/03/2021 14:54:04 answering member 1493 label Biography information for Sir Charles Walker
	tabling member	1500 label Biography information for Theresa Villiers

1328266

	registered interest
	date	26/05/2021
	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	Members: Disciplinary Proceedings
	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 assessment the Commission has made of the adequacy of the independence of disciplinary proceedings against hon. Members.
	tabling member constituency	Luton North
	tabling member printed	Sarah Owen
	uin	7952
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/06/2021 answer text <p>Bullying and harassment have no place in Parliament. The Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme was established in July 2018 and covers all members of the parliamentary community, including MPs. There have been two independent reviews of the ICGS since its establishment – the <a href="https://www.parliament.uk/globalassets/documents/conduct-in-parliament/icgs-six-month-review---final-report.pdf/icgs-six-month-review---final-report.pdf" target="_blank">6-month review</a> and the <a href="https://www.parliament.uk/contentassets/e3ed0297d92a400bb249c887a30aa59b/icgs-18-month-review_final.pdf" target="_blank">18-month review</a>. Alison Stanley carried out both reviews, the more recent one concluding in February 2021. Alison Stanley noted in her report in February that there has been much progress on the implementation of the scheme since the 6-month review, but there are still improvements to be made, particularly around the time taken for investigations to conclude. Her review contained 36 recommendations which, when implemented together, will make a significant difference to those who use the scheme.</p><p>The ICGS team has already made progress towards implementing these recommendations in important areas such as speeding up investigations, streamlining the ICGS process, smarter policies and processes, improved accessibility and stronger communications.</p><p>All ICGS cases against MPs are investigated by members of a pool of independent investigators contracted to work with the House Service, overseen by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards, who is herself independent and impartial. The Commissioner reviews the investigator’s final report, the accompanying evidence and the investigator’s recommendation. If the Commissioner finds that rules have been breached, she can require an apology to the House or, if she feels the sanctions available to her are not sufficient, can refer to the Independent Expert Panel.</p><p><a href="https://www.parliament.uk/mps-lords-and-offices/standards-and-financial-interests/independent-expert-panel/" target="_blank">The Independent Expert Panel</a> was established in June 2020; its members were appointed on 25 November following fair and open competition. The Panel is entirely independent, with no MPs taking part in its decisions or able to influence them. It hears appeals and decides sanctions in ICGS cases where complaints of bullying, harassment or sexual misconduct have been brought against MPs. Sanctions could include the suspension or expulsion of an MP, which would then require a vote in the House. To date, it has published four reports on the conduct of MPs.</p> answering member constituency Broxbourne answering member printed Sir Charles Walker question first answered 07/06/2021 18:12:38 answering member 1493 label Biography information for Sir Charles Walker
	tabling member	4777 label Biography information for Sarah Owen

1328269

	registered interest
	date	26/05/2021
	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	Members: Disciplinary Proceedings
	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, for what reason rules on disciplinary action against hon. Members differ between those applied to decisions made by the Independent Experts Panel and those applied to decisions made by the Standards Committee.
	tabling member constituency	Luton North
	tabling member printed	Sarah Owen
	uin	7953
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/06/2021 answer text <p>The process for a petition under the Recall of MPs Act 2015 is not triggered by a suspension imposed on the recommendation of the Independent Expert Panel. For a recall to be initiated, the sanction must be imposed on the recommendation of the Committee on Standards, or another Committee of the House of Commons concerned with standards of conduct. The Independent Expert Panel is not a Committee of the House of Commons.</p><p>Prior to the establishment of the Panel in June 2020, the House of Commons Commission listened to concerns expressed during a consultation process that a recall mechanism would be detrimental in cases brought under the Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme because of the potential implications for the confidentiality of the process and possibility of retrial by media and the public which could affect the willingness of complainants to come forward.</p> answering member constituency Broxbourne answering member printed Sir Charles Walker question first answered 07/06/2021 18:18:59 answering member 1493 label Biography information for Sir Charles Walker
	tabling member	4777 label Biography information for Sarah Owen

1329484

	registered interest
	date	04/06/2021
	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: Libraries
	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 plans there are to provide a replacement to the Derby Gate library facilities for the staff of hon. Members.
	tabling member constituency	Newton Abbot
	tabling member printed	Anne Marie Morris
	uin	10395
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/06/2021 answer text <p>The Derby Gate library was closed on 3 September 2018 to make way for works initiated by the Northern Estates Programme.</p><p>In anticipation of the closure, the Library worked with Members and In-House Services to identify alternative workspace and service point(s) for use by Members’ staff. The Library considered sharing space within the House of Lords eLibrary, based in Millbank, though this did not meet requirements.</p><p>Instead, in July 2018 the Administration Committee approved plans for a new Customer Services Hub based in Portcullis House (PCH) – <a href="https://old.parliament.uk/documents/commons-committees/admin-committee/Notes-of-discussion-2017-19/PI19-23-July-2018.pdf" target="_blank">Administration Committee’s Notes of discussion, 23 July 2018</a>. Informed by feedback from Members that a ‘one stop’ service centre would improve visibility and access to services, the Hub initially provided access to Library, Digital, Security and procedural services in addition to some, albeit limited, access to workspace for use by both Members and Members’ staff.</p><p>The Library ceased to provide a permanent service-point in the Customer Services Hub from January 2020. This was in response to low usage in 2019 and, in addition, feedback from Members and Members’ staff that additional workspace was required. By moving from the Hub, the Library thus freed-up additional space. This decision followed the principle, agreed by the House of Commons Commission in May 2018, that the Library and other services should reduce their footprint on the Northern Estate to make way for additional Members’ workspace when required – <a href="https://old.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/other-committees/house-of-commons-commission/news-parliament-2017/decisions-14-may-20180514111111111/" target="_blank">House of Commons Commission Decisions, 14 May 2018</a>.</p><p>All the same, the Library continues to welcome Members’ staff into the Oriel Room (the reception area of the main Library suite within the Palace) to browse briefing papers, request book loans and place requests face to face with Library staff. Members’ staff are also welcome to consult documents in the Reference Room of the Library, on request. Library services can also be browsed online: see <a href="https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/about-us/services/" target="_blank">Services for MPs and MPs' staff - House of Commons Library</a>.</p><p>The space previously occupied by the Derby Gate library will return to use in 2021, once works have been completed. The space has been reconfigured as a meeting room and open space, available to Members and Members’ staff for meetings and quiet work. This arrangement was requested by the Administration Committee in May 2020, to compensate Members for the loss of other meeting space in 1 Parliament Street – <a href="https://committees.parliament.uk/publications/2920/documents/28122/default/" target="_blank">Administration Committee’s Note of discussion, 18 May 2020</a>. Please also note that, from September 2021, space within Richmond House – including the Richmond House business lounge – will also become available to Members’ staff.</p> answering member constituency Broxbourne answering member printed Sir Charles Walker question first answered 09/06/2021 20:08:30 answering member 1493 label Biography information for Sir Charles Walker
	tabling member	4249 label Biography information for Anne Marie Morris

1329726

	registered interest
	date	04/06/2021
	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	Parliament: Ivory
	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 estimate the Commission has made of the number of ivory items owned by or collated in the Houses of Parliament.
	tabling member constituency	Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport
	tabling member printed	Luke Pollard
	uin	10642
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/06/2021 answer text <p>In total, there are 21 documented items made of ivory or containing ivory that are owned by the Houses of Parliament.</p><p>There are 18 accessioned objects documented within the Parliamentary Heritage Collections. Of these 12 are small objects from the Parliamentary Art Collection made between the 17th and 19th centuries. The remaining six are items of 19th century historic furniture or fabric which contain small amounts of ivory decoration.</p><p>There are two accessioned items documented in the Parliamentary Archives which contain ivory. These are a Book of Common Prayer containing decorative ivory crosses and a set of ink stamps with ivory handles. There are no accessioned items documented in either the House of Lords Library or House of Commons Library made of, or containing, ivory.</p><p>A non-accessioned First World War book of remembrance in the House of Lords includes an ivory Tudor rose in the binding. There may be other non-accessioned items containing ivory in the Houses that have not yet been identified.</p> answering member constituency Broxbourne answering member printed Sir Charles Walker question first answered 11/06/2021 12:21:51 answering member 1493 label Biography information for Sir Charles Walker
	tabling member	4682 label Biography information for Luke Pollard