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1242040

	registered interest
	date	09/10/2020
	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: Twitter
	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, pursuant to the Answer of 8 October 2020 to Question 98904, if the Commission will discuss (a) the decision on the House Twitter account to no longer cover Divisions, (b) other changes to that Twitter account and (c) the compatibility of those changes with (i) the objective in the Strategy for the House of Commons Service 2016-21 of involving and inspiring the public and (ii) other objectives in that strategy.
	tabling member constituency	Denton and Reddish
	tabling member printed	Andrew Gwynne
	uin	101251
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/10/2020 answer text <p>The Commission has no plans to consider the House of Commons Twitter account. The account is managed by the House of Commons Communications Office, part of the House Service, and it is for the House Service to take any decisions about its content.</p><p>A core task of the House Service is to support the House of Commons, its committees, and individual members of all parties and their staff. As such, its commitment to, and perception of, impartiality is critical.</p> answering member constituency Perth and North Perthshire answering member printed Pete Wishart grouped question UIN 101252 question first answered 14/10/2020 11:52:10 answering member 1440 label Biography information for Pete Wishart
	tabling member	1506 label Biography information for Andrew Gwynne

1242041

	registered interest
	date	09/10/2020
	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: Twitter
	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, pursuant to the Answer of 8 October 2020 to Question 98904, what consultation the Commission has carried out with (a) hon. Members, (b) members of the public and (c) other stakeholders on the decision to stop the House of Commons Twitter service covering the results of divisions.
	tabling member constituency	Denton and Reddish
	tabling member printed	Andrew Gwynne
	uin	101252
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/10/2020 answer text <p>The Commission has no plans to consider the House of Commons Twitter account. The account is managed by the House of Commons Communications Office, part of the House Service, and it is for the House Service to take any decisions about its content.</p><p>A core task of the House Service is to support the House of Commons, its committees, and individual members of all parties and their staff. As such, its commitment to, and perception of, impartiality is critical.</p> answering member constituency Perth and North Perthshire answering member printed Pete Wishart grouped question UIN 101251 question first answered 14/10/2020 11:52:10 answering member 1440 label Biography information for Pete Wishart
	tabling member	1506 label Biography information for Andrew Gwynne

1401814

	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: Employment
	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 provisions there are in House of Commons employment contracts to protect the confidentiality of work done in the House of Commons, including in the event that employment ceases.
	tabling member constituency	Basingstoke
	tabling member printed	Mrs Maria Miller
	uin	101662
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/01/2022 answer text <p>All employees of the House are required to sign a confidentially statement at the start of their employment. The confidentiality statement not only refers to handling personal information but also Classified and Official Secret information too. There is also a statement about confidentiality in the staff handbook and, at the end of employment, a reminder of the confidentiality statement is included in the letter given to departing staff.</p> answering member constituency Broxbourne answering member printed Sir Charles Walker question first answered 19/01/2022 19:31:36 answering member 1493 label Biography information for Sir Charles Walker
	tabling member	1480 label Biography information for Dame Maria Miller

1402204

	registered interest
	date	12/01/2022
	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	Big Ben: 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, pursuant to the Answer of 11 January 2022 to Question 96953 on Big Ben: Repairs and Maintenance, what the estimated additional cost is for (a) the four-month site closure in 2020, (b) investment in covid-19 secure measures and (c) the reduced productivity on site until November 2020.
	tabling member constituency	Kilmarnock and Loudoun
	tabling member printed	Alan Brown
	uin	102681
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/01/2022 answer text <p>The total cost to date of covid-19 impacts on the project, including the four-month site closure in 2020, investment in covid-19 secure measures and the reduced productivity on site until November 2020, is £5.7m, including VAT. These costs are met from the approved £9m provision, listed in the answer to <a href="https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2022-01-04/96953" target="_blank">Question 96953</a>.</p><p>This figure has been scrutinised by independent consultants, who are confident in the financial projections that have been developed by teams in the House Service, recognising the exceptionality of the project and its highly specific requirements.</p><p>Parliament’s teams have mitigated against the financial impact of coronavirus, working collaboratively and positively with contractors to reduce the impact to the taxpayer, and ensuring that costs paid by Parliament are proportionate to its contractual obligations. The project’s teams continue to meet the challenges posed by this complex conservation and enjoy the support of the leadership of both Houses in their delivery and approach.</p> answering member constituency Broxbourne answering member printed Sir Charles Walker question first answered 21/01/2022 16:36:40 answering member 1493 label Biography information for Sir Charles Walker
	tabling member	4470 label Biography information for Alan Brown

1243514

	registered interest
	date	14/10/2020
	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	Richmond House: Coronavirus
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the hon. Member representing the House of Commons Commission, what assessment has been made of the adequacy of the design of the proposed temporary chamber in Richmond House to facilitate social distancing measures in the event of future coronavirus outbreaks.
	tabling member constituency	Kilmarnock and Loudoun
	tabling member printed	Alan Brown
	uin	103574
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/10/2020 answer text <p>The design for Richmond House as a temporary Commons Chamber has been paused. The House of Commons Commission has taken the decision to use Richmond House as temporary accommodation for Members and their staff.</p> answering member constituency Perth and North Perthshire answering member printed Pete Wishart question first answered 22/10/2020 16:57:48 answering member 1440 label Biography information for Pete Wishart
	tabling member	4470 label Biography information for Alan Brown

1243520

	registered interest
	date	14/10/2020
	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 Chamber: Coronavirus
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the hon. Member representing the House of Commons Commission, what assessment has been made of the potential merits of reconstructing the Commons Chamber to facilitate social distancing in the event of future coronavirus outbreaks.
	tabling member constituency	Kilmarnock and Loudoun
	tabling member printed	Alan Brown
	uin	103575
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/10/2020 answer text <p>Strategic steers have been provided to the Sponsor Body by the management boards at the beginning of lockdown around longer-term work that may be required. These made reference to future coronavirus outbreaks or similar events, but further work is still required. The strategic review is seeking to validate the underlying assumptions.</p> answering member constituency Perth and North Perthshire answering member printed Pete Wishart question first answered 22/10/2020 16:59:06 answering member 1440 label Biography information for Pete Wishart
	tabling member	4470 label Biography information for Alan Brown

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

1243867

	registered interest
	date	15/10/2020
	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: Twitter
	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, pursuant to the Answers to Questions 98904, 101251 and 101252, what discussions members of the House of Commons Commission have had with the members of the House Service on (a) the decision on the House Twitter account to no longer cover Divisions, (b) other changes to that Twitter account and (c) the compatibility of those changes with (i) the objective in the Strategy for the House of Commons Service 2016-21 of involving and inspiring the public and (ii) other objectives in that strategy.
	tabling member constituency	Denton and Reddish
	tabling member printed	Andrew Gwynne
	uin	104064
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/10/2020 answer text <p>The Commission has had no discussions with House Service staff regarding the House of Commons Twitter account. The account is managed by the House of Commons Communications Office, part of the House Service, and it is for the House Service to take any decisions about its content.</p><p>A core task of the House Service is to support the House of Commons, its committees, and individual members of all parties and their staff. As such, its commitment to, and perception of, impartiality is critical.</p> answering member constituency Perth and North Perthshire answering member printed Pete Wishart question first answered 20/10/2020 11:51:05 answering member 1440 label Biography information for Pete Wishart
	tabling member	1506 label Biography information for Andrew Gwynne

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

1684123

	registered interest
	date	22/01/2024
	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: Road Traffic Control
	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 much has been spent on traffic marshals in each financial year from 2019-20 to 2022-2023; and what the estimated spend is for financial year 2023-24.
	tabling member constituency	Suffolk Coastal
	tabling member printed	Dr Thérèse Coffey
	uin	10792
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/02/2024 answer text <p>The figures below reflect the spend on traffic marshals for each financial year (April to March) from 2019 to 2024.</p><p>The figures include use of traffic marshals to manage the movement of traffic and/or pedestrians (a) in the Palace and along the spine road, (b) in and out of the underground car park, and (c) on laundry road in the Northern Estate. The figures are all excluding VAT.</p><p>The figures below do not include costs where it has not been possible to extrapolate the cost of marshal provision from the overall contract for works.</p><p /> <p><strong>Financial years 2019 to 2023 </strong></p><p>2019–2020 £176,069</p><p>2020–2021 £199,471</p><p>2021–2022 £257,534</p><p>2022–2023 £598,534</p><p> </p><p><strong><br>Financial year 2023–2024</strong></p><p>The costs for the 2023–2024 financial year are not comparable to the previous years.</p><p>Prior to 2023–24 the cost of the traffic marshals for the underground car park, required to facilitate the works in New Palace Yard, was covered by the contractor, as part of the project costs, and not included above. These costs are now covered by the House directly as efficiencies had been identified.</p><p>The underground car park requires 24/7 cover due to the closure of one of the ramps into the car park necessary to facilitate the works in the New Palace Yard. The costs include unsociable working hours, bank holidays and weekends.</p><p>For the 2023–2024 financial year, the cost for traffic marshals, excluding underground car park marshals, is forecast to be £647,763.</p><p>For the same period, the cost for the underground car park marshals is forecast to be £1,271,966.</p> answering member constituency Broxbourne answering member printed Sir Charles Walker question first answered 08/02/2024 16:42:31 answering member 1493 label Biography information for Sir Charles Walker
	tabling member	4098 label Biography information for Dr Thérèse Coffey