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1020039

	registered interest
	date	04/12/2018
	answering body	The Senior Deputy Speaker
	answering dept id	204
	answering dept short name
	answering dept sort name	Senior Deputy Speaker (HoL)
	hansard heading	Palace of Westminster: Fire Regulations
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker what assessment he has made of the impact of the manual fire safety call points on the visual appearance of the Palace of Westminster; and what consideration was given to alternative means of advertising call points and fire safety instructions in keeping with the heritage of the Palace.
	tabling member printed	Lord Blencathra
	uin	HL12014
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/12/2018 answer text <p>The Senior Deputy Speaker has asked me, as Chairman of the Services Committee, to respond on his behalf.</p><p>The “totem” manual fire safety call points are designed for highly significant interiors within the Palace, where fixing escape signs and manual call points to the historic fabric is not acceptable. Following consultation with Historic England, it was agreed that free standing signage was the best option in those spaces, to reduce physical impact on the Palace.</p><p>The patinated brass finish used in the frame was chosen to blend in with the timber joinery and reference the Victorian brass fittings found throughout the Palace. The colours used for the signage differ slightly from the British Standards; the colours were chosen to minimise the visual impact on interiors, whilst remaining legible to direct people in the case of an emergency.</p> answering member printed Lord Laming question first answered 18/12/2018 14:17:22 answering member 2079 label Biography information for Lord Laming
	tabling member	497 label Biography information for Lord Blencathra

1152000

	registered interest
	date	23/10/2019
	answering body	The Senior Deputy Speaker
	answering dept id	204
	answering dept short name
	answering dept sort name	Senior Deputy Speaker (HoL)
	hansard heading	Peers: Harassment
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker what representations, if any, the House of Lords Administration has made to the Metropolitan Police regarding protestors intimidating Parliamentarians leaving the Parliamentary Estate.
	tabling member printed	Lord Blencathra
	uin	HL344
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/10/2019 answer text <p>The Parliamentary Security Department (PSD) works closely with the Metropolitan Police (MPS). PSD officials meet with the MPS frequently to discuss anticipated or ongoing issues, which can include intimidation of Parliamentarians and staff by protestors when entering and leaving the estate.</p><p>PSD holds a weekly meeting with the MPS, Black Rod and the Serjeant at Arms to assess forthcoming events for potential issues around access and security, enabling PSD and MPS responses to be updated accordingly. For security reasons we do not provide details of security arrangements.</p><p>When high levels of protest activity are expected, Parliamentarians are sent communications advising them of access information and security advice. Parliamentarians are also encouraged to raise any security concerns with the Director of Security for Parliament, and to raise access queries with Black Rod.</p> answering member printed Lord McFall of Alcluith question first answered 30/10/2019 12:36:57 answering member 4148 label Biography information for Lord McFall of Alcluith
	tabling member	497 label Biography information for Lord Blencathra

1189850

	registered interest
	date	23/04/2020
	answering body	The Senior Deputy Speaker
	answering dept id	204
	answering dept short name
	answering dept sort name	Senior Deputy Speaker (HoL)
	hansard heading	Oral Questions
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker what plans he has to introduce a training course for peers about asking oral questions concisely.
	tabling member printed	Lord Blencathra
	uin	HL3361
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/05/2020 answer text <p>There are no plans to introduce such training at present. When introducing virtual proceedings the Lord Speaker and his Deputies have consistently emphasised the importance of brevity when asking and answering supplementary questions, and the part that this can play in allowing a greater number of members to contribute within the time limits.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord McFall of Alcluith question first answered 06/05/2020 15:34:37 answering member 4148 label Biography information for Lord McFall of Alcluith
	tabling member	497 label Biography information for Lord Blencathra

1191276

	registered interest
	date	28/04/2020
	answering body	The Senior Deputy Speaker
	answering dept id	204
	answering dept short name
	answering dept sort name	Senior Deputy Speaker (HoL)
	hansard heading	Oral Questions
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker what plans there are, if any, to publish a record of the length of time taken by members of the House to ask supplementary questions.
	tabling member printed	Lord Blencathra
	uin	HL3456
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/05/2020 answer text <p>When introducing virtual proceedings the Lord Speaker and his Deputies have consistently emphasised the importance of brevity when asking and answering supplementary questions, and the part that this can play in allowing a greater number of members to contribute within the time limits.　These sentiments were echoed in an email that I sent to all members on 12 May, updating them on virtual proceedings. Revised guidance issued by the Procedure Committee on the same day also stated that ‘Members should avoid taking up time in Virtual Proceedings thanking other members for their contributions’.　There are no plans to publish a record of the length of time taken by members of the House to ask supplementary questions; the Procedure Committee will continue to keep these matters under review.</p><p><em> </em></p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord McFall of Alcluith question first answered 13/05/2020 16:11:54 answering member 4148 label Biography information for Lord McFall of Alcluith
	tabling member	497 label Biography information for Lord Blencathra

1240978

	registered interest
	date	06/10/2020
	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: Oral Questions
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker what plans there are to provide training to members of the House of Lords to assist them with preparing concise and succinct supplementary questions.
	tabling member printed	Lord Blencathra
	uin	HL8802
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/10/2020 answer text <p>There are no plans to provide training to members of the type described. The Procedure and Privileges Committee agreed last month that all supplementary questions should be limited to no more than 30 seconds and ministerial replies should be succinct. This has been incorporated into the guidance that sets out the procedures for hybrid proceedings.</p> answering member printed Lord McFall of Alcluith question first answered 09/10/2020 11:02:28 answering member 4148 label Biography information for Lord McFall of Alcluith
	tabling member	497 label Biography information for Lord Blencathra

1289354

	registered interest
	date	24/02/2021
	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: Catering
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker what plans he has to discuss with the appropriate House committees and authorities the possibility of opening House catering facilities on 17 May, in strict compliance with any COVID-19 rules applicable at that time to cafes, bars and restaurants outside the House.
	tabling member printed	Lord Blencathra
	uin	HL13657
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/03/2021 answer text <p>The Senior Deputy Speaker has asked me, as Chair of the Services Committee, to respond on his behalf. The policy of the House Administration, endorsed by the House of Lords Commission, is to ensure that facilities on the Lords part of the Parliamentary Estate are provided in accordance with the advice of and guidance from Public Health England to ensure a safe and secure environment for members and staff. The Services Committee and the Commission will keep under review the potential for reopening and reconfiguring facilities in line with that guidance, and will be issuing further information in due course.</p> answering member printed Lord Touhig question first answered 08/03/2021 15:34:26 answering member 542 label Biography information for Lord Touhig
	tabling member	497 label Biography information for Lord Blencathra

1356024

	registered interest
	date	15/09/2021
	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 what discussions he has had with the Clerk of the Parliaments regarding the attire of the Table Clerks in the Chamber of the House of Lords, particularly the resumption of wearing horsehair wigs.
	tabling member printed	Lord Blencathra
	uin	HL2734
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/09/2021 answer text <p>Last year, as part of our necessary response to ensure business resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic, six additional members of staff were added to the Table Clerk rota. Full uniform was not worn by these new appointees, due to the significant procurement cost and uncertainties as to the duration of the expanded rota. In light of this the then Clerk of the Parliaments decided that uniform for all Table Clerks should be a formal gown over business attire.</p><p>An expanded rota of Table Clerks will remain in place, as it supports the resilience of the Chamber and allows a greater number of staff members to develop knowledge and understanding that is essential to the operation of the House. The costs of procuring and maintaining full uniform for a larger pool of Table Clerks would be significant. The Clerk of the Parliaments has therefore reviewed the situation and has explained to me that the current wearing of a uniform of formal gown over business attire allows Table Clerks to be identified, and respected, in the Chamber while also being appropriate for Clerks as officials performing their duties in supporting a professional, working House conducting regular business. Full uniform will continue to be worn by those Clerks participating in ceremonial occasions such as Introductions and Prorogation; and for State Opening, at which wigs will also be worn.</p> answering member printed Lord Gardiner of Kimble question first answered 16/09/2021 15:29:58 answering member 4161 label Biography information for Lord Gardiner of Kimble
	tabling member	497 label Biography information for Lord Blencathra

1358380

	registered interest
	date	04/10/2021
	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 Lord Gardiner of Kimble on 16 September (HL2734), what is the cost of (1) six formal uniforms for the additional Table Clerks, (2) the full uniforms that have already been provided to Table Clerks, (3) creating the PeerHub remote voting system, and (4) converting Committee Rooms 2A and 3A to enable hybrid meetings of Grand Committee.
	tabling member printed	Lord Blencathra
	uin	HL2825
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/10/2021 answer text <p>In 2020 six gowns were purchased for new Table Clerks joining the rota. The total cost of these six gowns was £1,213.99, but due to an outstanding credit with the supplier the House actually paid £536 in total for the six gowns.</p><p>Table Clerks who joined the rota before 2020 were provided with a fuller uniform. There is no standard cost for this as it depends on a number of variables, including the supplier used and the items required. Purchases of full new uniforms for Table Clerks in recent years were however in the range of approximately £4,700 - £5,700 per person. Incidental repairs and additional items may also be required over the years as uniforms are worn.</p><p>The cost to the Parliamentary Digital Service of producing the PeerHub remote voting system as set out in the approved business case was £78,683. This was primarily resource cost.</p><p>The capital cost of converting Committee Rooms 2A and 3A for Hybrid Grand Committee as set out in the approved business case for the project was £150,000, including VAT.</p> answering member printed Lord Gardiner of Kimble question first answered 14/10/2021 15:13:22 answering member 4161 label Biography information for Lord Gardiner of Kimble
	tabling member	497 label Biography information for Lord Blencathra

1358381

	registered interest
	date	04/10/2021
	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 Lord Gardiner of Kimble on 16 September (HL2734), whether the House has agreed that decisions on Table Clerks' uniform should be made by House staff rather than Members.
	tabling member printed	Lord Blencathra
	uin	HL2826
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/10/2021 answer text <p>The uniform for Table Clerks is not a matter covered by the Standing Orders agreed by the House, or the Companion to the Standing Orders, which the Procedure and Privileges Committee oversees on behalf of the House.</p><p>Having reviewed Procedure and Privileges Committee papers dating back to the 1970s, there is no record of decisions about uniform for Table Clerks being taken by that Committee.</p><p>The Clerk of the Parliaments, as the statutory employer, is responsible for these decisions, though the Clerk of the Parliaments is of course aware that these matters are of wider concern to members of the House and has emphasised this in recent discussions we have had on this matter. The Clerk of the Parliaments is of course open to conversation with any member about any of his responsibilities.</p> answering member printed Lord Gardiner of Kimble question first answered 14/10/2021 15:32:45 answering member 4161 label Biography information for Lord Gardiner of Kimble
	tabling member	497 label Biography information for Lord Blencathra

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