Further memorandum from the Serjeant at
Arms
1. Since Roger Sands, the Clerk of the House
and Chief Executive, gave his evidence on this to your committee
on 9 May we have had a request from two of the major parties to
increase their presence on the Parliamentary Estate.
2. In the first instance the Liberal Democrats
have asked for additional space in 2 The Abbey Garden for their
Policy and Research Unit. Although there is currently a spare
room I have resisted allocating it to the Liberal Democrats because
this is the only room on that part of the Estate at the present
time that could be used as decant accommodation in extremis were
an existing office rendered unusable. Moreover I was wary of allocating
existing rooms for a new usage at a time when your committee is
in the middle of its review I have also had an approach from the
Official Opposition asking for additional staff team leaders of
various policy development work working for Members of the Shadow
Cabinet, to be housed in accommodation currently allocated to
the Official Opposition in both Norman Shaw South and the Palace
of Westminster, On current plans I understand that there will
be an additional eight members of staff working for the Shadow
Cabinet. In the course of his oral evidence the Clerk of the House
alluded to the lack of clarity surrounding the allocation of House
accommodation for what could be considered to be party political
activities. Without going into detail, the following might fall
into that category:
— The "parliamentary resources
units" of the three main parties.
— The significantly increased number
of staff now supporting the Leader of the Official Opposition.
— The Official Opposition proposal
to accommodate the additional policy staff to whom I have already
referred.
— The occupation of four ministerial
offices in the Colonnade such as the room occupied by the Minister
without Portfolio and Party Chair.
3. All the accommodation which is occupied
in this way of course reduces the accommodation available for
use by individual Members and their staff. I strongly support
the Clerk in his suggestion that we would welcome any guidance
that your committee might be able to give on this issue when it
comes to make its recommendation.
4. Following the evidence sessions with
the Clerk of the House, Paul Monaghan, Greg Unwin and myself you
asked for further information for the Committee. I attach a short
paper on the practicality of suiting Members Accommodation which
amplifies Paul Monaghan's evidence. I also provide the details
of residences and other overnight accommodation which you require.
18 May 2006
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