1. When I appeared before the Committee
on 9 May I undertook to provide further detail on desk spaces
for House staff in the Palace of Westminster—summary information
had previously been given in the first column of figure 9 of the
memorandum submitted by the Serjeant at Arms. [6]
2. The appended table sets out the information
organised by department and role. In some cases the totals for
departments do not exactly match those in the original table as
they reflect changes that have occurred since 31 December, including
the creation of PICT. A number of the desk spaces are not in locations
that would normally be considered as office accommodation; for
example, the Library has one desk in the cellars and the Refreshment
Department has several desks within kitchen and stores areas.
The total includes a number of staff in the Serjeant at Arms Department
who, for historical reasons, are located in areas of the Palace
that would normally be regarded as part of the House of Lords.
3. Desk spaces for third party occupants
of the estate, including those providing services under contract
(eg police & security, telephone switchboard, Post Office),
are excluded.
| Department | Office/Directorate
| Location | Desk spaces/staff
| Remarks |
Office of the Clerk
Clerk's Dept
| Clerk of the House and Office of the Clerk (OotC)
| Clerk of the House's office on the Principal Floor plus former SAA stores (SA1/2) on the Colonnade.
| 7
Clerk of the House, Private Secretary, Secretary to the Board of Management and
4 other staff.
| Proximity of the Clerk of the House to the Chamber is essential: the Clerk is frequently required to be in the Chamber and to provide advice to the Chair at short notice.
Staff of the OotC work in close support of the Clerk in his role as Chief Executive. Close proximity to the Clerk of these staff was recommended in Braithwaite Review—other OotC staff are based in 7 Millbank.
|
| Clerk's | Clerk Assistant |
Principal Floor | 1 |
Proximity to the Chamber essential to provide front-line on-call support to the Table of the House
|
| Clerk's | Public and Private Bill Office
| Third floor | 11
8 Clerks
1 Senior Executive Officer
2 support staff
| Proximity to the Chamber and ready availability to Members is essential: among other duties, staff in the office provide advice to the Chair and Table of the House on matters concerning legislation and advise on and accept amendments from Members and deal with Private Members' Bills. The office is staffed each day until the rising of the House: it provides division clerks and oversees the conduct and reporting of divisions. The Private Bill Office was merged with the Public Bill Office in 2003, and in discharging its Private Bill functions it is required by standing orders to be open to the public on fixed times on certain days. It also supports the Committee of Selection.
|
| Clerk's | Foreign Affairs & Defence Committees
| Main Committee Office (two open plan offices)
| 15
4 Clerks and 11
other staff
| Required to retain classified documents in secure circumstances and to transport them a minimum distance to committee meetings. Members need to visit office to read these.
|
| Clerk's | Commission, Finance & Services Committee, Administration Committee.
| Main Committee Corridor (North Wing) | 6
3 Clerks and
3 support staff
| Required to support Speaker as Chairman of Commission and individual Commissioners, including Leader of the House, and to be readily accessible to Chairmen and members of Finance & Services and Administration Committees, involved in day to day running of the House and services for Members: frequent contact with Clerk as Chairman of Board of Management, members of Board and other senior House-based officers.
|
| Clerk's | Committee Office (other than Foreign Affairs, Defence and Standards & Privileges Committees)
| Main Committee Office and Principal Floor |
8
2 Principal Clerks
and 6 support staff
| Proximity to Chamber essential for Clerk of Committees to provide front-line on-call support to the Table of the House. Main Committee Office provides essential on-site support to select committees and Committee of Selection. Provides committee office services on all sitting days until rising of the House. Provides division clerks on call at all times when the House is sitting (most of whom at other times based in 7 Millbank). Includes Clerk of JCOS who is required to retain sensitive and classified documents in secure circumstances.
|
| Clerk's | Standards and Privileges Committee
| 3rd Floor | 2
1 Clerk and 1 support staff
| Required to retain sensitive documents in secure location. Needs to be available to Members for consultation on complaints and progress of investigations, and to support Journal Office, particularly in relation to questions of privilege.
|
| Clerk's | Journal Office |
3rd Floor | 9
5 Clerks and 4 support staff
| Provides support to the Chair and the Clerks at the Table on questions of procedure at all times when the House is sitting, and is available to all Members for such advice during sitting hours and beyond. Needs to be accessible to Members seeking advice on orderliness of and procedures for presenting petitions. Needs to be accessible to Members seeking advice on issues of privilege. Is required to be open for laying of papers by government departments and others. Production of daily records of all decisions of the House requires proximity to the Chamber. Provides division clerks. Provides staff for the Procedure Committee and second Clerk for the Standards and Privileges Committee.
|
| Clerk's | Table Office |
Principal Floor and 3rd Floor | 12
6 Clerks and
6 support staff
| Proximity to the Chamber is essential. The Principal Clerk provides front-line on-call support to the Table of the House at all times when it is sitting. The office deals with Questions, EDMs applications for adjournment debates, and many aspects of the business of the House and Westminster Hall. Members visit it throughout the day, and it remains open to the rising of the House. It compiles the Order of Business for the next day, which is always available for inspection by Members. The Office also gives immediate support to the Chair and the Clerks at the Table, and provides division clerks.
|
| Clerk's | Vote Office | Lower ground Floor accommodation + two offices on ground floor beneath the Chamber + Lobby Office in Member's Lobby
| 13.5
Deliverer of the Vote and Parliamentary Deputy
11.5 other members of staff, including 1 part time secretary and
3 early morning run staff.
| Receipt, distribution and availability for Members, of papers and documents essential for the business of the House. Deliverer and his Parliamentary Deputy need to be in close proximity to the Chamber to give advice and briefing to the Chair and the Table. The Office is open from 7.00 am until the rise of the House or later and on Saturday mornings.
|
| Clerk's | Broadcasting |
Clocktower | 2
Director of Broadcasting and personal assistant
| The Director of Broadcasting can view (live) coverage of every meeting which is being televised, and the bespoke monitoring system was recently updated. She is also within easy reach of all committee rooms should her presence be needed, and on hand to both the Speaker and to the Clerk of the Parliaments, to whom she is answerable.
|
| Clerk's | Overseas Office |
Main Committee Office | 3
Clerk and 2 support staff
| The Palace location for the Overseas Office supports its representational role: welcoming Speakers and other parliamentary visitors, and escorting them to the Chamber galleries, Committee meetings and other engagements in the Palace.
|
| Finance & Administration | OHSWS.
(Occupational Health, Safety & Welfare Service)
| Off Lower Waiting Hall | 2
Medical nursing staff
| Medical consultation rooms in close proximity to both Chambers. Convenient location with easy access for Members of both Houses both for emergency use and pre-booked appointments.
|
| Library | Librarian | Principal Floor
| 1 | Palace location is essential for accessibility by Members and Library staff on this floor
|
| Library | Reference Services Section—Oriel Room
| Members' Library | 5
1 Library Clerk A2
4 Band B2/C or D2
| Focal point for enquiries by Members in person. Includes Book & Video service loans. The room is staffed each day until the rise of the House on a rotation basis.
|
| Library | Reference Services Section—Reference Room
| Members' Library | 6
1 Band B1
1 Band B2
2 Band C
2 Band D1
| Main collection of reference stock located here where staff deal with face-to-face and telephone enquiries from Members. The room is staffed each day until the rise of the House on a rotation basis
|
| Library | Reference Services Section—"A" Room
| Members' Library | 4
1 Head of Section
1 Band B2
1 Band C/D1
1 Band D1
| Support for front line staff in the Oriel Room; Reference Room & Video & Loans desk providing immediate availability of information and material for Members.
|
| Library | International Affairs & Defence Section—"A" Room
| Members' Library | 1
1 member of section on a rota basis
| Main enquiry point for Members with face-to-face enquiries on matters of international affairs and defence.
|
| Library | Library Resources
| Cellars | 1
1 D2
| Maintains and oversees newspaper and periodical stores; provides support & takes requests from Members' Library and Reference Room to assist enquiries from Members and ensure they get a speedy response.
|
| Library | Reference Services Section
| Room 1, Speaker's Flat | 5
5 staff ranging from D1 to A2
| Proximity to Members' Library stock & resources is essential for close support and operation of non-enquiry related duties. Staff here answer enquiries and support those dealing with front line desk duties in the Members' Library.
|
| Library | Reference Services Section & Librarian's PA
| Room 5, Speaker's Flat | 4
1 Band B2
2 Band D2
1 hotdesk used by Oriel Room staff
| Librarian's PA. Proximity to Librarian essential.
Newspaper indexers' operation, which directly supports staff in Members' Library.
|
| Library | International Affairs & Defence Section
| Room 5, Speaker's Flat (IADS Annexe) | 1
Staffed on a rota basis, grading varies
| Support for Members' Library main IADS operation in A Room
|
| Library | Office Services |
Room 7, Speaker's Flat | 1
1 Band D2
| Office support all Library staff in the Palace for mail, copying, filing and general duties.
|
| PICT | Official Report support
| North Bridge | 3 |
Fast response support provided to Hansard editorial staff throughout the day and night.
|
| Official Report | Editor |
Room 35, off Lower Ministerial Corridor | 1
| Head of Department; proximity to sub-editors' room and Members, in the event of queries/problems, is essential.
|
| Official Report | Deputy Editor (House)
| Off Lower Ministerial Corridor | 1
| Manager of all editorial staff reporting Chamber proceedings. Required to be available to Members in event of queries/problems on daily part and to ensure adequate staffing to cover sitting hours.
|
| Official Report | Sub-editors
| Mezzanine Floor, off Ladies Gallery stairs
| 8 | Staff sub-edit reports of Chamber proceedings to tight deadlines and require speedy access to Chamber and to be available to Members checking speeches.
|
| Official Report | Reporters
| Hansard reporters room off Ladies Gallery stairs
| 18
16 reporters plus
2 technical support
| Staff produce the report of Chamber proceedings and require approx. hourly access to the Press Gallery to take notes. Tight production deadlines necessitate close proximity to Chamber.
|
| Official Report | Administration
| Side offices off Hansard reporters room |
6 | Staff support work of reporters and editors; inward receipt and processing of written answers and statements from Government Departments. Require prompt access to Chamber.
|
| Official Report | Committee Sub-Editors
| North Bridge | 3 |
Staff sub-edit reports of Westminster Hall proceedings. Require close proximity to Westminster Hall for regular access and to be available for Members wishing to read speeches and raise queries.
|
| Official Report | House typing
| North Bridge | 4 |
Staff take dictation from Reporters working on Chamber proceedings. Must be close to Reporters to ensure tight deadlines are met.
|
| Official Report | Hansard Reporters (Westminster Hall)
| South Turret | 8 |
*Staff report Westminster Hall proceedings. They work to tight deadlines in a rota and must have speedy access to Westminster Hall to take notes.
|
| Official Report | Hansard Reporters (Westminster Hall)
| South Bridge | 6 |
*See above |
| Official Report | Committee administrative staff
| South Bridge | 2 |
Staff require frequent and speedy access to Committee rooms to collect log and notes, scan them to 7 Millbank and then and return notes to Members. They liaise with Westminster Sound when emergencies arise.
|
| Refreshment | Director of Catering
| RD office suite
Adjacent to Lady Members' Room
| 3
Director of Catering,
2 support staff
| Location is central to the majority of the Department's operations.
|
| Refreshment | Operations Manager
| RD office suite
Next to Director of Catering
| 2
Operations Manager,
Retail Manager
| Proximity to operations for which managers are responsible.
|
| Refreshment | Human Resources
| RD Office suite
Opposite Director of Catering
| 4
Human Resources and Development Manager,
2 support staff,
Training Manager
| Central point for the department for staff who have any queries.
|
| Refreshment | Cashier | RD Office Suite
Opposite Lady Members' room
| 1
Cashier | Central location allowing MP's and other customers to settle accounts.
|
| Refreshment | Assistant Managers
| Adjacent to Photo machine | 2
Restaurant and Bars Manager,
Catering Manager
| Small windowless office that is close to services.
|
| Refreshment | Banqueting |
RD Office Suite | 4
Banqueting Manager,
3 Banqueting Coordinators
| Accessible to function rooms, organisers visiting office and the requirement for staff to be on hand for special requirements.
|
| Refreshment | Computer Room (hot desking)
| RD Office Suite | 3
3 terminals
(for staff hot desking)
| Facility for staff to order stores, stock take reconciliation electronically on line and process written material
|
| Refreshment | Head Chef's Office
| Kitchen corridor | 3
Head Chef,
Senior Sous Chef,
Kitchen Coordinator
| Within the kitchen and stores area. |
| Refreshment | Executive Chef
| Kitchen Corridor | 1
Executive Chef
| Within the kitchen and stores area. |
| Refreshment | Purchasing |
Kitchen corridor | 3
Purchasing manager,
Coordinator,
Stores Supervisor
| Close to goods receiving and stores in the basement.
|
| Refreshment | Food and Beverage Control
| Kitchen corridor | 3
F&B Control Manager,
2 Control Clerks
| Financial control of food and beverage purchases from the delivery bay.
|
| Refreshment | Kitchen corridor meeting room/ computer room/staff-union room
| Kitchen corridor | 1
Meeting room and "hot desking" facility
| Area for staff without designated computers to work and meet. It also allows the area to be used by the unions on facility time.
|
| Refreshment | Delivery Bay |
Kitchen corridor | 1
Goods Receiver
| Adjacent to the delivery of all food stuffs.
|
| Refreshment | Terrace Cafeteria
| Terrace | 1
Supervisor
| Cupboard like space within the Terrace Cafeteria
|
| Refreshment | Banqueting Floor
| Banqueting corridor | 1
1 Floor Manager
| Small room close to the operation allowing Supervisors to reconcile business information from events, such as billing, staffing etc.
|
| Serjeant-at-Arms | Serjeant at Arms office
| Upper Cloister | 10
4 SAA/Deputy/ Assistant SAA,
1 SAA Personal Staff Officer, 1 Internal Communications Manager,
1 Office Manager,
3 Support staff
| Proximity of the Serjeant, his Deputy and Assistants to the Chamber is essential: they are required to be in the Chamber at short notice in the event of an emergency or any irregularity. The Serjeant is required to provide immediate advice to the Speaker, and other occupants of the Chair.
Staff support the Serjeants and assist Members frequently, often face to face.
|
| Serjeant-at-Arms | Chambers and Committees
| Off Members' Lobby and below Members' Staircase
| 3
1 Principal Doorkeeper
2 Deputy principal Doorkeepers
| Oversee smooth running of the Chamber and manage Doorkeepers on duty in the vicinity of the Chamber and in Committees.
|
| Serjeant-at-Arms | Office and Accommodation Services
| Admission Order Office, Principal Floor |
2
2 Office Clerks | Manage access to the Galleries
|
| Serjeant-at-Arms | Office and Accommodation Services
| Service Centre, (HoL) | 7
3 Senior Office Keepers
4 Office Keepers
| Manage and supervise Attendant Staff providing services in Committee Rooms, Members' offices and reception desks.
|
| Serjeant-at-Arms | Office and Accommodation Services
| Turret off Westminster Hall | 3
3 Cleaning Managers
| Manage and supervise directly employed cleaning staff across the House of Commons Estate.
|
| Serjeant-at-Arms | Office and Accommodation Services
| Colonnade | 4
4 Events Administrators
| Situated in the Palace in order to provide convenient face to face advice to Members and Members staff organising events in the Palace and Portcullis House, They arrange filming permits and monitor film crews to ensure that they keep within the regulations. They work with Members and their staff to support VIP visits.
|
| Serjeant-at-Arms | Pass Administration
| Black Rod's Garden Entrance Pass Office (HoL)
| 5
5 Office Clerks | Manage and issue photo identity passes for the House of Lords.
|
| | |
| |
| Serjeant-at-Arms | Maintenance Management
| Boiler House Court area | 21
1 Maintenance Service Manager
3 Shift Engineers
17 Technical Officers and clerical support.
| Manage Maintenance staff and contractors delivering services in Palace Effective decision making in the frequent event of breakdowns and maintenance problems require these staff to be on site.
|
| Serjeant-at-Arms | Maintenance Operations
| Boiler House Court area | 4
1 Service Manager
3 Help desk staff
| Tightly integrated with maintenance staff. Help desk cover in silent hours is provided by co-located shift engineering staff.
|
| Serjeant-at-Arms | Maintenance Operations
| Cockles Corridor Area (HoL) | 4
4 Managers of craft staff
| Effective line management of craft maintenance staff requires their staff to be on site.
|
| Serjeant-at-Arms | Serjeant-at-Arms Finance Unit
| Room off No 1 staircase, First Floor | 6
1 SAA Head of Finance
1 SAA Procurement Manager
2 SAA Finance/Contracts Managers
2 SAA Procurement Officers
| Located near the Serjeant at Arms to provide immediate financial decision making and budget management advice.
|
| | |
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