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1170507

	registered interest
	date	13/01/2020
	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	Big Ben: Festivals and Special Occasions
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the hon. Member representing the House of Commons Commission, what the cost was of Big Ben chiming on (a) Remembrance Sunday 2019 and (b) New Year's Eve 2019.
	tabling member constituency	Rayleigh and Wickford
	tabling member printed	Mr Mark Francois
	uin	2442
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/01/2020 answer text <p>The costs associated with striking Big Ben on Remembrance Sunday and New Year's Eve in 2019 were £14.2k including VAT <ins class="ministerial">in total.</ins> <del class="ministerial">on each occasion.</del></p><p>The striking of Big Ben on these occasions was coordinated around the planned works so as to minimise the impact on the project costs and to ensure it did not result in any delay. If the project team are required to strike the bell with less notice, the costs would substantially increase due to the unexpected impact on the project schedule.</p> answering member constituency Mole Valley answering member printed Sir Paul Beresford question first answered 16/01/2020 20:09:42 question first ministerially corrected 19/02/2020 08:40:44 answering member 103 label Biography information for Sir Paul Beresford previous answer version 1393 answering member constituency Mole Valley answering member printed Sir Paul Beresford answering member 103 label Biography information for Sir Paul Beresford
	tabling member	1444 label Biography information for Mr Mark Francois

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

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

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

1565201

	registered interest
	date	09/01/2023
	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	Queen Elizabeth II: Death
	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 was the total cost of Operation Marquee; from which sources that funding was obtained; whether any other scheme or programme budgets have been detrimentally affected by the cost of Operation Marquee; what assessment he has made of the scope and delivery of Operation Marquee; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	East Yorkshire
	tabling member printed	Sir Greg Knight
	uin	118859
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/01/2023 answer text <p>The total cost of Operation Marquee for the House of Commons is still being determined. We will proactively publish this figure alongside details of the costs incurred.</p><p>The House of Commons finance and information compliance teams are working alongside the respective teams in the House of Lords to ensure aligned and complete publications of costs.</p><p>The cost of Operation Marquee has been funded from the House of Commons 2022–23 Estimate. The House has not required additional funding from HM Treasury to cover the cost of Operation Marquee.</p><p>Team budgets, including programme budgets, were not reduced in order to fund Operation Marquee. Costs incurred by Teams in relation to Operation Marquee were funded by requests from central contingency and managed by the finance team.</p><p>The feedback from Members and the public was that Operation Marquee was successfully delivered and the Commission recognises the crucial part played by the House service in that process.</p> answering member constituency Broxbourne answering member printed Sir Charles Walker question first answered 16/01/2023 16:08:43 answering member 1493 label Biography information for Sir Charles Walker previous answer version 46499 answering member constituency Broxbourne answering member printed Sir Charles Walker answering member 1493 label Biography information for Sir Charles Walker
	tabling member	1200 label Biography information for Sir Greg Knight

1579625

	registered interest
	date	23/01/2023
	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: Air Conditioning
	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 air filtration systems on the Parliamentary estate in each of the last three years.
	tabling member constituency	Ellesmere Port and Neston
	tabling member printed	Justin Madders
	uin	129887
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/01/2023 answer text <p>Air filtration systems are maintained as part of a wider contract and the information cannot be provided at this level of detail. In 2022/23 to date £15,777.43 has been spent on parts relating to air filtration systems.</p> answering member constituency Broxbourne answering member printed Sir Charles Walker question first answered 30/01/2023 15:04:17 answering member 1493 label Biography information for Sir Charles Walker previous answer version 50790 answering member constituency Broxbourne answering member printed Sir Charles Walker answering member 1493 label Biography information for Sir Charles Walker
	tabling member	4418 label Biography information for Justin Madders

1601920

	registered interest
	date	07/03/2023
	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: Local Broadcasting
	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 is taking steps to increase access to BBC regional channels on the parliamentary estate television network.
	tabling member constituency	East Londonderry
	tabling member printed	Mr Gregory Campbell
	uin	160219
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/03/2023 answer text <p>BBC regional channels are now only transmitted in High Definition (HD) after Standard Definition (SD) transmission was withdrawn in February. Work to update the television system on the Parliamentary Estate to allow for the transmission of additional HD channels is planned for Easter and will restore access to BBC Regional Channels.</p> answering member constituency Broxbourne answering member printed Sir Charles Walker question first answered 14/03/2023 17:38:16 answering member 1493 label Biography information for Sir Charles Walker previous answer version 61560 answering member constituency Broxbourne answering member printed Sir Charles Walker answering member 1493 label Biography information for Sir Charles Walker
	tabling member	1409 label Biography information for Mr Gregory Campbell

1605126

	registered interest
	date	17/03/2023
	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: Drinks
	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 is taking steps to increase the availability of beverages produced in the UK on the Parliamentary estate.
	tabling member constituency	Warley
	tabling member printed	John Spellar
	uin	167999
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/03/2023 answer text <p>The catering service, alongside the Parliamentary procurement team, is working to increase availability of UK products. It sells regional products, promoting where availability allows and collaborating with suppliers. As an example, in the last year we have introduced a range of craft UK gins. I shall write to the hon. Member with more information.</p> answering member constituency Broxbourne answering member printed Sir Charles Walker question first answered 27/03/2023 16:46:32 answering member 1493 label Biography information for Sir Charles Walker previous answer version 64347 answering member constituency Broxbourne answering member printed Sir Charles Walker answering member 1493 label Biography information for Sir Charles Walker
	tabling member	318 label Biography information for John Spellar