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<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>
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