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708689

	registered interest
	date	06/03/2017
	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 he will publish the terms of the agreement with Electoral Reform Services to administer the hereditary peers’ by-elections, including the fees paid and the length of the contract.
	tabling member printed	Lord Faulkner of Worcester
	uin	HL5820
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/03/2017 answer text <p>The House has engaged Electoral Reform Services (ERS) to assist with each hereditary peers’ by-election since they were first held in 2003. When the need for a by-election arises ERS are engaged to administer and supervise the by-election and to provide assurance that it conforms to good electoral practice. This arrangement has applied each time a by-election is held. A fee is paid for ERS’ services for each by-election; there is no standing contract under which fees are paid to ERS.</p><p> </p><p>The table below shows the amounts paid to Electoral Reform Services in respect of hereditary peers’ by-elections in each calendar year since 2012.</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p><strong>Year</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Amount paid to Electoral Reform Services</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2012</p></td><td><p>Nil</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2013</p></td><td><p>£3,550</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2014</p></td><td><p>£3,245</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2015</p></td><td><p>£5,700</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2016</p></td><td><p>£1,200</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2017 (to date)</p></td><td><p>Nil</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p>Amounts are exclusive of VAT.</p><p> </p><p>The House authorities are currently reviewing the procurement arrangements under which services for hereditary peers’ by-elections are provided.</p> answering member printed Lord McFall of Alcluith grouped question UIN HL5821 HL5822 question first answered 13/03/2017 14:50:31 answering member 4148 label Biography information for Lord McFall of Alcluith
	tabling member	2472 label Biography information for Lord Faulkner of Worcester

708690

	registered interest
	date	06/03/2017
	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 organisations other than Electoral Reform Services were considered when the contract to administer the hereditary peers’ by-elections was awarded.
	tabling member printed	Lord Faulkner of Worcester
	uin	HL5821
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/03/2017 answer text <p>The House has engaged Electoral Reform Services (ERS) to assist with each hereditary peers’ by-election since they were first held in 2003. When the need for a by-election arises ERS are engaged to administer and supervise the by-election and to provide assurance that it conforms to good electoral practice. This arrangement has applied each time a by-election is held. A fee is paid for ERS’ services for each by-election; there is no standing contract under which fees are paid to ERS.</p><p> </p><p>The table below shows the amounts paid to Electoral Reform Services in respect of hereditary peers’ by-elections in each calendar year since 2012.</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p><strong>Year</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Amount paid to Electoral Reform Services</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2012</p></td><td><p>Nil</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2013</p></td><td><p>£3,550</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2014</p></td><td><p>£3,245</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2015</p></td><td><p>£5,700</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2016</p></td><td><p>£1,200</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2017 (to date)</p></td><td><p>Nil</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p>Amounts are exclusive of VAT.</p><p> </p><p>The House authorities are currently reviewing the procurement arrangements under which services for hereditary peers’ by-elections are provided.</p> answering member printed Lord McFall of Alcluith grouped question UIN HL5820 HL5822 question first answered 13/03/2017 14:50:31 answering member 4148 label Biography information for Lord McFall of Alcluith
	tabling member	2472 label Biography information for Lord Faulkner of Worcester

708691

	registered interest
	date	06/03/2017
	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 he will ensure that an open competition will be held for the contract to administer future hereditary peers’ by-elections.
	tabling member printed	Lord Faulkner of Worcester
	uin	HL5822
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/03/2017 answer text <p>The House has engaged Electoral Reform Services (ERS) to assist with each hereditary peers’ by-election since they were first held in 2003. When the need for a by-election arises ERS are engaged to administer and supervise the by-election and to provide assurance that it conforms to good electoral practice. This arrangement has applied each time a by-election is held. A fee is paid for ERS’ services for each by-election; there is no standing contract under which fees are paid to ERS.</p><p> </p><p>The table below shows the amounts paid to Electoral Reform Services in respect of hereditary peers’ by-elections in each calendar year since 2012.</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p><strong>Year</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Amount paid to Electoral Reform Services</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2012</p></td><td><p>Nil</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2013</p></td><td><p>£3,550</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2014</p></td><td><p>£3,245</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2015</p></td><td><p>£5,700</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2016</p></td><td><p>£1,200</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2017 (to date)</p></td><td><p>Nil</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p>Amounts are exclusive of VAT.</p><p> </p><p>The House authorities are currently reviewing the procurement arrangements under which services for hereditary peers’ by-elections are provided.</p> answering member printed Lord McFall of Alcluith grouped question UIN HL5820 HL5821 question first answered 13/03/2017 14:50:31 answering member 4148 label Biography information for Lord McFall of Alcluith
	tabling member	2472 label Biography information for Lord Faulkner of Worcester

1361536

	registered interest
	date	19/10/2021
	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 Chamber
	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 Senior Deputy Speaker on 14 October (HL2826), what is the justification for retaining the requirement for Table Clerks to wear robes, given that the requirement to wear horsehair wigs has been abandoned.
	tabling member printed	Lord Blencathra
	uin	HL3194
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/11/2021 answer text <p>The Clerk of the Parliaments is by law the employer of the staff of the House and responsible for all terms and conditions of employment. During the pandemic, the then Clerk of the Parliaments decided that Clerks at the Table during regular business of the House should wear a gown over business attire, and that this would be worn by all the Clerks at the Table. The then Lord Speaker was consulted and acknowledged the change to Table Clerk attire, on a temporary basis, though he expressed a preference for the wearing of traditional table dress and gown, but without wigs.</p><p>Having some element of uniform allowed the Clerk in the Chamber to be identified by Members in the House wishing to seek advice. The decision was taken for a number of reasons, including cost grounds, the potentially temporary duration of the new Table Clerks’ appointments, and the impracticality of acquiring new uniforms during the pandemic. Throughout the ongoing pandemic, the full uniform previously worn has continued to be worn in full at high ceremonial occasions, such as the State Opening of Parliament, and in modified form on other ceremonial occasions including Prorogation; for the Introduction Ceremonies of new Lords Spiritual and Temporal (when ceremonial dress is worn by others) and for Tributes in the Chamber.</p><p>The Clerk of the Parliaments is considering the position now that the House is no longer operating under the hybrid House guidance. The Clerk of the Parliaments has received representations on this matter from a number of Members of the House and would be very willing to hear the views of others. In deciding what the position will be in future, the Clerk of the Parliaments will need to reflect upon a number of factors including cost, efficiency, the views expressed by Members, and the public perception of the House. The Clerk of the Parliaments will also consider the need to ensure both that all Clerks at the Table are identifiable and all similarly attired; as well as the appropriate uniform given the range of other duties performed by Clerks during the working day.</p> answering member printed Lord Gardiner of Kimble grouped question UIN HL3268 HL3269 HL3271 question first answered 02/11/2021 17:50:25 answering member 4161 label Biography information for Lord Gardiner of Kimble
	tabling member	497 label Biography information for Lord Blencathra

1362433

	registered interest
	date	21/10/2021
	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 Chamber
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker whether the reason for not providing wigs for the temporary Table Clerks while the House was sitting under the hybrid House guidance was on the grounds of cost; and if so, why the Table Clerks in possession of wigs are not wearing them now that the House is no longer operating under that guidance.
	tabling member printed	Lord Blencathra
	uin	HL3268
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/11/2021 answer text <p>The Clerk of the Parliaments is by law the employer of the staff of the House and responsible for all terms and conditions of employment. During the pandemic, the then Clerk of the Parliaments decided that Clerks at the Table during regular business of the House should wear a gown over business attire, and that this would be worn by all the Clerks at the Table. The then Lord Speaker was consulted and acknowledged the change to Table Clerk attire, on a temporary basis, though he expressed a preference for the wearing of traditional table dress and gown, but without wigs.</p><p>Having some element of uniform allowed the Clerk in the Chamber to be identified by Members in the House wishing to seek advice. The decision was taken for a number of reasons, including cost grounds, the potentially temporary duration of the new Table Clerks’ appointments, and the impracticality of acquiring new uniforms during the pandemic. Throughout the ongoing pandemic, the full uniform previously worn has continued to be worn in full at high ceremonial occasions, such as the State Opening of Parliament, and in modified form on other ceremonial occasions including Prorogation; for the Introduction Ceremonies of new Lords Spiritual and Temporal (when ceremonial dress is worn by others) and for Tributes in the Chamber.</p><p>The Clerk of the Parliaments is considering the position now that the House is no longer operating under the hybrid House guidance. The Clerk of the Parliaments has received representations on this matter from a number of Members of the House and would be very willing to hear the views of others. In deciding what the position will be in future, the Clerk of the Parliaments will need to reflect upon a number of factors including cost, efficiency, the views expressed by Members, and the public perception of the House. The Clerk of the Parliaments will also consider the need to ensure both that all Clerks at the Table are identifiable and all similarly attired; as well as the appropriate uniform given the range of other duties performed by Clerks during the working day.</p> answering member printed Lord Gardiner of Kimble grouped question UIN HL3194 HL3269 HL3271 question first answered 02/11/2021 17:50:25 answering member 4161 label Biography information for Lord Gardiner of Kimble
	tabling member	497 label Biography information for Lord Blencathra

1362434

	registered interest
	date	21/10/2021
	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 Chamber
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker whether the former Lord Speaker was consulted on the decision that Table Clerks would no longer wear wigs; and if so, whether he gave his consent to that decision.
	tabling member printed	Lord Blencathra
	uin	HL3269
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/11/2021 answer text <p>The Clerk of the Parliaments is by law the employer of the staff of the House and responsible for all terms and conditions of employment. During the pandemic, the then Clerk of the Parliaments decided that Clerks at the Table during regular business of the House should wear a gown over business attire, and that this would be worn by all the Clerks at the Table. The then Lord Speaker was consulted and acknowledged the change to Table Clerk attire, on a temporary basis, though he expressed a preference for the wearing of traditional table dress and gown, but without wigs.</p><p>Having some element of uniform allowed the Clerk in the Chamber to be identified by Members in the House wishing to seek advice. The decision was taken for a number of reasons, including cost grounds, the potentially temporary duration of the new Table Clerks’ appointments, and the impracticality of acquiring new uniforms during the pandemic. Throughout the ongoing pandemic, the full uniform previously worn has continued to be worn in full at high ceremonial occasions, such as the State Opening of Parliament, and in modified form on other ceremonial occasions including Prorogation; for the Introduction Ceremonies of new Lords Spiritual and Temporal (when ceremonial dress is worn by others) and for Tributes in the Chamber.</p><p>The Clerk of the Parliaments is considering the position now that the House is no longer operating under the hybrid House guidance. The Clerk of the Parliaments has received representations on this matter from a number of Members of the House and would be very willing to hear the views of others. In deciding what the position will be in future, the Clerk of the Parliaments will need to reflect upon a number of factors including cost, efficiency, the views expressed by Members, and the public perception of the House. The Clerk of the Parliaments will also consider the need to ensure both that all Clerks at the Table are identifiable and all similarly attired; as well as the appropriate uniform given the range of other duties performed by Clerks during the working day.</p> answering member printed Lord Gardiner of Kimble grouped question UIN HL3194 HL3268 HL3271 question first answered 02/11/2021 17:50:25 answering member 4161 label Biography information for Lord Gardiner of Kimble
	tabling member	497 label Biography information for Lord Blencathra

1362436

	registered interest
	date	21/10/2021
	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 Chamber
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker who was consulted before the decision was made that Table Clerks would not wear wigs (1) while the House was sitting under the hybrid House guidance, and (2) after the House had ceased operate under that guidance.
	tabling member printed	Lord Blencathra
	uin	HL3271
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/11/2021 answer text <p>The Clerk of the Parliaments is by law the employer of the staff of the House and responsible for all terms and conditions of employment. During the pandemic, the then Clerk of the Parliaments decided that Clerks at the Table during regular business of the House should wear a gown over business attire, and that this would be worn by all the Clerks at the Table. The then Lord Speaker was consulted and acknowledged the change to Table Clerk attire, on a temporary basis, though he expressed a preference for the wearing of traditional table dress and gown, but without wigs.</p><p>Having some element of uniform allowed the Clerk in the Chamber to be identified by Members in the House wishing to seek advice. The decision was taken for a number of reasons, including cost grounds, the potentially temporary duration of the new Table Clerks’ appointments, and the impracticality of acquiring new uniforms during the pandemic. Throughout the ongoing pandemic, the full uniform previously worn has continued to be worn in full at high ceremonial occasions, such as the State Opening of Parliament, and in modified form on other ceremonial occasions including Prorogation; for the Introduction Ceremonies of new Lords Spiritual and Temporal (when ceremonial dress is worn by others) and for Tributes in the Chamber.</p><p>The Clerk of the Parliaments is considering the position now that the House is no longer operating under the hybrid House guidance. The Clerk of the Parliaments has received representations on this matter from a number of Members of the House and would be very willing to hear the views of others. In deciding what the position will be in future, the Clerk of the Parliaments will need to reflect upon a number of factors including cost, efficiency, the views expressed by Members, and the public perception of the House. The Clerk of the Parliaments will also consider the need to ensure both that all Clerks at the Table are identifiable and all similarly attired; as well as the appropriate uniform given the range of other duties performed by Clerks during the working day.</p> answering member printed Lord Gardiner of Kimble grouped question UIN HL3194 HL3268 HL3269 question first answered 02/11/2021 17:50:25 answering member 4161 label Biography information for Lord Gardiner of Kimble
	tabling member	497 label Biography information for Lord Blencathra

1359028

	registered interest
	date	14/10/2021
	answering body	The Senior Deputy Speaker
	answering dept id	204
	answering dept short name
	answering dept sort name	Senior Deputy Speaker (HoL)
	hansard heading	Lord Speaker: Staff
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker how many staff are employed in support of the Lord Speaker; their costs in each of the last three years; the budget for staff employed to support the Lord Speaker in the next financial year; and of the existing staff, how many are required to support the Commission.
	tabling member printed	Lord Forsyth of Drumlean
	uin	HL3097
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/10/2021 answer text <p>In January 2021 the Commission published the report of the independent External Management Review. One of the specific recommendations of that Review was that a small secretariat should be appointed to provide dedicated support to the Commission. In response to this recommendation, at its meeting on 10 February 2021, the Commission agreed that new secretariat posts should be created as soon as possible.</p><p>Accordingly, two new post-holders have now been recruited to provide support for the whole Commission. These two postholders are not part of the Lord Speaker’s Office but, as the Lord Speaker is Chair of the Commission, they are now physically co-located with the Lord Speaker’s Office in order to enable effective communication and information sharing. The Secretary to the Commission ensures that the Commission receives the information and support they need to take effective strategic decisions and meet their objectives. This includes, but is not limited to, briefing the Chair, liaising between Commission members and senior staff, drafting papers, following up issues after meetings, assisting with Commission communications, overseeing the arrangements for meetings and line managing the Executive Officer to the Commission. The Executive Officer to the Commission provides the administrative support to the Commission. This includes, but is not limited to, organising the administrative arrangements for meetings, circulating papers, maintaining internet and intranet pages, managing Commission records, helping with Commission communications, and liaising with staff involved with Commission meetings.</p><p>The staff count for the Lord Speaker’s Office is 4.8 full-time equivalent posts: a Private Secretary, Assistant Private Secretary, Diary Manager, Events and Outreach Officer, and an Executive Officer. Due to vacancies not all of these posts are currently filled. An internal staffing review of the Office is currently taking place.</p><p>Other staff are also co-located with the Lord Speaker’s Office, including a member of the Communications team who provides communications support to the Lord Speaker and Commission, and a member of staff who forms the International Relations team. They are not part of the Lord Speaker’s Office.</p><p>In the last three financial years, the actual staffing costs for the Lord Speaker’s Office were:</p><p>2018-19: £200,654</p><p>2019-20: £182,904</p><p>2020-21: £205,692</p><p>The forecast outturn for staffing for the Lord Speaker’s Private Office for the current financial year (2021-22) is £227,262, prior to any agreed pay award.</p><p>The draft budget for 2022-23 is £310,430. This larger figure assumes a full complement in every post for the full financial year, which has not always been the case in preceding financial years. These figures include the costs of salaries as well as other on-costs such as pension and National Insurance contributions.</p><p>These figures do not include the costs of the two members of staff who support the Commission. As outlined above, these posts are not part of the Lord Speaker’s Office, although they are co-located with the staff of the office.</p> answering member printed Lord Gardiner of Kimble grouped question UIN HL3098 question first answered 28/10/2021 16:33:05 answering member 4161 label Biography information for Lord Gardiner of Kimble
	tabling member	1141 label Biography information for Lord Forsyth of Drumlean

1359029

	registered interest
	date	14/10/2021
	answering body	The Senior Deputy Speaker
	answering dept id	204
	answering dept short name
	answering dept sort name	Senior Deputy Speaker (HoL)
	hansard heading	Lord Speaker: Staff
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker why it was necessary to extend the staff accommodation in support of the Lord Speaker; how many extra staff are involved; and what are their duties.
	tabling member printed	Lord Forsyth of Drumlean
	uin	HL3098
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/10/2021 answer text <p>In January 2021 the Commission published the report of the independent External Management Review. One of the specific recommendations of that Review was that a small secretariat should be appointed to provide dedicated support to the Commission. In response to this recommendation, at its meeting on 10 February 2021, the Commission agreed that new secretariat posts should be created as soon as possible.</p><p>Accordingly, two new post-holders have now been recruited to provide support for the whole Commission. These two postholders are not part of the Lord Speaker’s Office but, as the Lord Speaker is Chair of the Commission, they are now physically co-located with the Lord Speaker’s Office in order to enable effective communication and information sharing. The Secretary to the Commission ensures that the Commission receives the information and support they need to take effective strategic decisions and meet their objectives. This includes, but is not limited to, briefing the Chair, liaising between Commission members and senior staff, drafting papers, following up issues after meetings, assisting with Commission communications, overseeing the arrangements for meetings and line managing the Executive Officer to the Commission. The Executive Officer to the Commission provides the administrative support to the Commission. This includes, but is not limited to, organising the administrative arrangements for meetings, circulating papers, maintaining internet and intranet pages, managing Commission records, helping with Commission communications, and liaising with staff involved with Commission meetings.</p><p>The staff count for the Lord Speaker’s Office is 4.8 full-time equivalent posts: a Private Secretary, Assistant Private Secretary, Diary Manager, Events and Outreach Officer, and an Executive Officer. Due to vacancies not all of these posts are currently filled. An internal staffing review of the Office is currently taking place.</p><p>Other staff are also co-located with the Lord Speaker’s Office, including a member of the Communications team who provides communications support to the Lord Speaker and Commission, and a member of staff who forms the International Relations team. They are not part of the Lord Speaker’s Office.</p><p>In the last three financial years, the actual staffing costs for the Lord Speaker’s Office were:</p><p>2018-19: £200,654</p><p>2019-20: £182,904</p><p>2020-21: £205,692</p><p>The forecast outturn for staffing for the Lord Speaker’s Private Office for the current financial year (2021-22) is £227,262, prior to any agreed pay award.</p><p>The draft budget for 2022-23 is £310,430. This larger figure assumes a full complement in every post for the full financial year, which has not always been the case in preceding financial years. These figures include the costs of salaries as well as other on-costs such as pension and National Insurance contributions.</p><p>These figures do not include the costs of the two members of staff who support the Commission. As outlined above, these posts are not part of the Lord Speaker’s Office, although they are co-located with the staff of the office.</p> answering member printed Lord Gardiner of Kimble grouped question UIN HL3097 question first answered 28/10/2021 16:33:05 answering member 4161 label Biography information for Lord Gardiner of Kimble
	tabling member	1141 label Biography information for Lord Forsyth of Drumlean

784698

	registered interest
	date	06/11/2017
	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: Sexual Offences
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker whether any independent service is available to those working on the Lords part of the Parliamentary estate who wish to report a sexual assault.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Hollins
	uin	HL2916
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/11/2017 answer text <p>All reports of sexual assault or sexual harassment should be dealt with appropriately and with the right support. The Leaders of the two Houses have set up a Working Group on an Independent Complaints and Grievance Policy to draw up and implement a new bicameral bullying and harassment procedure. Officials from the Lords Administration are working with their Commons counterparts to support that working group.</p><p>Currently, there are a number of support services available to those who work on the Lords part of the Parliamentary Estate and who wish to report, or have reported, a sexual assault or sexual harassment. Members, Members’ staff and staff of the House have access to the Parliamentary Health and Wellbeing Service and the five Parliamentary Workplace Equality Networks. Members’ staff and House staff may also get independent support from Employee Assistance Programmes [Health Assured for Members’ staff and Workplace Options for House staff].</p><p>For employees of the Administration, the Staff Handbook sets out the procedures for reporting harassment or bullying of any type and the support available to them. For Members and Members’ staff, reports of bullying and harassment are currently dealt with through the relevant Whips Offices or through the Convenor’s office.</p><p>Members of the House of Lords are subject to a Code of Conduct which provides guidance on the standards of conduct expected of members in the discharge of their parliamentary duties and includes a requirement to act on their personal honour. An individual can make a complaint about the conduct of a Member to the independent Commissioner for Standards who would make a preliminary assessment of whether the allegation was linked to the discharge of parliamentary duties and, if so, whether it could constitute a breach of the Code. If the preliminary assessment concluded that these two tests had been met the Commissioner would investigate the allegation in accordance with the current procedures set out in the Code. The procedures and processes for investigating complaints made under the Code were not designed with complaints of this nature in mind and this is something the Commissioner would need to advise any potential complainant about, it is also something the Committee for Privileges and Conduct will need to consider. Anyone wishing to establish whether the particular behaviour of an individual member could amount to a breach of the Code should contact the Commissioner for further information.</p><p>In addition, anyone working on the Lords part of the Estate has independent access to ACAS services and can report a sexual assault or sexual harassment to the Police.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord McFall of Alcluith grouped question UIN HL2917 HL2918 question first answered 16/11/2017 12:13:03 answering member 4148 label Biography information for Lord McFall of Alcluith
	tabling member	4190 label Biography information for Baroness Hollins