{ "format" : "linked-data-api", "version" : "0.2", "result" : {"_about" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?min-answer.dateOfAnswer=2019-07-24&min-date=2019-01-09&answeringDeptSortName=House+of+Commons+Commission&max-date=2020-01-13", "definition" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/meta/answeredquestions.text?min-answer.dateOfAnswer=2019-07-24&min-date=2019-01-09&answeringDeptSortName=House+of+Commons+Commission&max-date=2020-01-13", "extendedMetadataVersion" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?min-answer.dateOfAnswer=2019-07-24&min-date=2019-01-09&answeringDeptSortName=House+of+Commons+Commission&max-date=2020-01-13&_metadata=all", "first" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?min-answer.dateOfAnswer=2019-07-24&_page=0&min-date=2019-01-09&answeringDeptSortName=House+of+Commons+Commission&max-date=2020-01-13", "hasPart" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?min-answer.dateOfAnswer=2019-07-24&min-date=2019-01-09&answeringDeptSortName=House+of+Commons+Commission&max-date=2020-01-13", "isPartOf" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?min-answer.dateOfAnswer=2019-07-24&min-date=2019-01-09&answeringDeptSortName=House+of+Commons+Commission&max-date=2020-01-13", "items" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1170327", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "House of Commons Commission"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1170327/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

The Speaker has indicated that this is a matter for Members of the House of Commons. The House of Commons Commission will respond to any decision of the House on this matter. In the absence of any such decision, the Commission's position on the sounding of Big Ben remains unchanged.<\/p>

For the Bell to ring on 31 January, the temporary striking mechanism used for Remembrance Sunday and New Year's Eve would need to be reattached and tested to ensure the timing is correct. Alongside this work, a temporary floor of the belfry where Big Ben is housed would also need to be installed, as extensive work is currently taking place in this area. The cost for the temporary floor and installing, testing and striking Big Ben would be approximately £120,000.<\/p>

In addition to the set-up, the delay to work in the belfry would push back the planned programme of works by two to four weeks, with each week of delays costing approximately £100,000 a week. As such, the minimum cost of sounding Big Ben would be £320,000 but could be much higher (up to £500,000). These costs are based on a notice period of approximately two weeks. Should the project team be required to strike the bell with less notice, these costs would increase substantially.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/103", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir Paul Beresford"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Mole Valley"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Sir Paul Beresford"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2020-01-15", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2020-01-15T23:47:42.177Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "18"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "House of Commons Commission"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "House of Commons Commission"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2020-01-13", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Big Ben"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the hon. Member representing the House of Commons Commission, if the Commission will allow Big Ben to chime at 11pm GMT on 31 January 2020 to mark the UK leaving the EU; what estimate has been made of the cost of activating the clock mechanism to enable those chimes; and if he will make a statement.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/280", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Michael Fabricant"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Lichfield"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Michael Fabricant"} ], "uin" : "2417"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1170386", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "House of Commons Commission"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1170386/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

The Parliamentary Procurement and Commercial Service (PPCS), which manages procurement processes for the Parliamentary Digital Service, has no explicit policies in place associated with these matters primarily because, in keeping with wider HM Government procurement policies, we source nearly all of our information and technology (ICT) requirements through the digital marketplace managed by the Crown Commercial Service (part of the Cabinet Office hosted Government Commercial Function).<\/p>

Where a bespoke PPCS contract is entered into (whether in ICT or other categories), our standard terms include provisions enforcing the Living Wage and for certain Discrimination, Safeguarding & Human Rights. These will shortly be supplemented by provisions associated with the Modern Slavery Act where contractors will be obligated to assist Parliament with an investigation should Parliament harbour a reasonable suspicion that a \u201cSpecified Offence\u201d has been or is being committed by any member of the supply chain, directly or indirectly in connection with the performance of the contract in question. Breach of this condition would entitle Parliament to terminate the contract in question with immediate effect.<\/p>

Additionally, the Parliamentary Procurement and Commercial Service in partnership with the Parliamentary Digital Service, seeks to ensure that suppliers evidence through their tender submissions and throughout the duration of the contract:<\/p>