CHAPTER 7: FACILITIES FOR STAFF
7.1. Human Resources Office Staff Notice Boards and Health and Safety Notice Boards are situated on the First Floor corridor on the West Front, in the office of the Official Report, the Refreshment Department, in Millbank House and 7 Old Palace Yard. Appointments, promotions, vacancies and other matters of interest to staff are announced on them. Copies of notices displayed on Notice Boards are also sent to Offices. Nothing should be placed on the noticeboards without the express permission of the Human Resources Office.
7.2. The Refreshment Department provides a rest room for catering staff, and Black Rod's Department provides facilities for certain of its staff. Staff rooms for other staff are on the First Floor, West Front (Rooms 24 and 27) and on the Second Floor of Millbank House (Rooms 236 and 237).
7.3. The Welfare Officer (Anne Mossop) and her Deputy (Tanya Harris) are available for confidential consultation on any personal problems staff may have, including living accommodation, domestic difficulties, health and sickness, working conditions etc. The Welfare Officer is based in the Occupational Health, Safety and Welfare Service in 7 Millbank. Appointments may be made at all times on extension 4789.
7.4. There is a welfare fund for the purpose of making loans, in case of personal hardship, to members of the staff of the House. Applications for assistance from the fund should in the first instance be made to the Welfare Officer who will seek authority from the Head of Human Resources.
Financial assistance for purchase of season
tickets and bicycles
7.5. At the discretion of the Head of Human Resources, a member of staff who has completed two months' service or more and who requires financial assistance to purchase a season ticket between home and the House of Lords may be granted an advance for this purpose. Advances may be made to assist in the purchase of quarterly or longer season tickets. Advances may also be made to assist in the purchase of a bicycle for use in travelling between home and the House of Lords. A further advance will not be made until an existing advance has been fully recovered. Advances will normally be recovered within the life of the season ticket by equal monthly or weekly instalments deducted from pay or, in the case of advances for the purchase of bicycles, within twelve months. If a member of staff in receipt of an advance leaves the service of the House, the outstanding balance will be deducted from the final salary payment. Advances for season tickets or bicycles should be used only for the purpose for which they were made. A photocopy of the season ticket and validating photocard must be forwarded to the Human Resources Office within 14 days of the purchase of the season ticket. Random checks will be made to ensure that the advances are being used for the purpose for which they were made. Application forms and further information about the rules are available from the Human Resources Office, who must be satisfied that the advance is in accordance with the application. Breach of any of the conditions under which season ticket advances are made is a serious offence which will lead to disciplinary action.
7.6. If a season ticket, purchased under the arrangements set out in the previous paragraph, is cashed in before it expires, the details should be notified to the Human Resources Office and the sum repaid to the House.
7.7. Some car parking space is available for staff. However space is at a premium and in general only those staff engaged in night duties will be considered eligible for a permit. No parking is permitted without authority and unauthorised parking is viewed as a serious offence. All staff requiring a parking permit must apply in the first instance to the Head of Human Resources who alone can authorise a space. Staff who are authorised to park will be issued with car parking permits by the Staff Superintendent's Office. Car Park permits must be shown when requested on entry to the Palace of Westminster and displayed within the car when it is parked; permits must not be displayed outside the Palace.
7.8. Staff holding temporary passes (those photo identity passes marked "TEMP") are not entitled to car parking.
7.9. When the House rises after 10.40 p.m. and before 6.30 a.m., a free cab service is provided after the rising of the House, for distances up to 25 miles from the House. At times of serious transport disruption, an earlier threshold time may be announced. The service is solely for the use of those staff who are required to be on duty and for whom there is no parking space allocated. The officer-in-charge of each office will be required to certify that staff using the service are eligible to do so on each occasion. Staff travelling more than 25 miles to their homes will be charged for the extra cost of their journeys.
7.10. Those officers who have parking spaces allocated and who, exceptionally, wish to use the late night transport facility may do so at the discretion of the officer-in-charge. It is anticipated that such occasions will be infrequent and abuse could lead to the withdrawal of the parking space.
7.11. Any complaints about the late night transport service should be taken up with the driver at the time if that is appropriate or should be directed to the cab company concerned through the Deputy Head of Human Resources.
Further and higher education
7.12. There is a scheme, set out in Appendix A, for providing financial assistance for established staff who undertake approved courses of further and higher education. This is in addition to the arrangements whereby staff may attend work-related training courses, at the Civil Service College or elsewhere, arranged by their Head of Office and paid for by the House of Lords from office budgets (see paragraph 11.6).
7.13. The term "Officers of the House" is used to refer to persons whose names are included on the list of senior officials of the House who, in general, enjoy similar privileges within the precincts of the House to those enjoyed by Members. The list is drawn up under the authority of the Clerk of the Parliaments and kept by the Human Resources Office.
7.14. Staff holding full photo identity passes may use the House of Lords Staff Restaurant and the cafeteria in Millbank House. Staff may also use the House of Commons Terrace Cafeteria (formerly Strangers') in the Palace of Westminster, Bellamy's in Parliament Street, the cafeteria in Portcullis House and the cafeteria at No 7 Millbank. Staff who hold temporary passes may use only the House of Lords Staff Restaurant and Bellamy's. Staff may entertain one guest in the Millbank House cafeteria, and up to two guests in the Staff Restaurant, Terrace Cafeteria or Bellamy's, on production of a full photo identity pass. Staff wishing to entertain more than two guests in the Staff Restaurant must contact the management of the Refreshment Department in advance. Staff may entertain up to five guests in the Peers' Dining Room on a non-sitting Friday; they are advised to book a table in advance (extension 3395). In addition, staff working late may use the Bishops' Bar cafeteria after 9pm.
7.15. Staff of the Refreshment Department are provided with meals without charge in accordance with arrangements made by the Superintendent of the Refreshment Department.
Refreshment Department gift shop
7.16. The Refreshment Department gift shop which is located between the Cholmondeley Room and the Home Room sells a range of items which are suitable for presents. Access is from Royal Court or the Cholmondeley Room staircase. The shop is open on Mondays to Thursdays from 11.00 a.m. to 8.00 p.m., and on Fridays from 11.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m. The shop is usually closed during periods when the Refreshment Department is closed.
7.17. Staff may, on production of their photo identity pass, obtain from Black Rod's Office a staff permit, which will permit them to take up to four visitors along the Line of Route, when it is open. Different rules apply to Officers of the House; details may be obtained from Black Rod's Office.
7.18. Groups of up to 16 may go up the Clock Tower under the sponsorship of a Member or Officer of the House. Arrangements should be made through PWD Office Services (extension 4862).
7.19. Staff may use the Post Office in Central Lobby. Cheques up to specified limits may be cashed at this Post Office on production of a cheque guarantee card and of a photo identity pass. A handling charge is made.
7.20. Staff may draw cash from three machines, provided by Barclays Bank, the National Westminster Bank and the Co-operative Bank, situated on the ground floor near the Staff Restaurant. The Barclays machine also accepts cash dispenser cards issued by Lloyds Bank, the Bank of Scotland and the Royal Bank of Scotland.
7.21. The Travel Office provides travel services for Members and others in the Palace of Westminster. Ancillary services include foreign exchange, insurance and a passport and visa service. Staff may make certain personal holiday bookings at reduced cost. At present the discount is 5 per cent off the basic holiday price. Details may be obtained from the Travel Office.
7.22. St Margaret's Church has been associated with both Houses of Parliament for over 300 years. Members and staff of the House are welcome to attend its regular services, and the Church is available to them for baptisms, weddings and memorial services, as arranged with the Rector.
The Chapel of St Mary Undercroft ("Crypt
Chapel")
7.23. The Rector of St Margaret's (the Speaker's Chaplain) celebrates Holy Communion in the Chapel of St Mary Undercroft on Wednesdays at 12.45 p.m. except in recesses. The Chapel is available to Members and Officers of the House for their family weddings and baptisms, on application to the Lord Great Chamberlain (Black Rod's Office). The Rector is very ready to assist in the planning of these services, whether or not he is responsible for conducting them on the actual day. For assistance and advice, the Rector may be contacted through his Secretary on 020 7222 4027. Services are conducted by other denominations in the Chapel periodically.
7.24. Owing to problems of overcrowding on the Terrace, access to and use of it are limited. Officers of the House may use it in the same way as Members. Other staff in pay band B2 or above may use the Terrace, and may entertain one guest there. Permits for this purpose are issued to such staff by the Human Resources Office on behalf of Black Rod. All staff holding House of Lords passes are allowed access to the House of Lords Terrace on non-sitting Fridays after 3 p.m. and during recesses. At popular times in the summer, staff should use the Terrace discreetly.
7.25. During the summer staff may use Black Rod's Garden (reached via Royal Court).
7.26. The House supports the publication of a staff magazine, in conjunction with the House of Commons. All staff are encouraged to contribute items of interest and should contact Deryc Sands on extension 6001.
House of Lords Retired Staff Association
7.27. On retiring from the House staff will be given details of the House of Lords Retired Staff Association. There is an annual subscription to the Association, which is run by and for retired staff.
Civil Service Sports Council
7.28. Staff may join the Civil Service Sports Council. Facilities include the Headquarters Ground at Dukes Meadows, Chiswick, where there are soccer, rugby, hockey and cricket pitches, tennis courts, bowling greens, a netball court, a boathouse (for rowing) and a pavilion. Other grounds are located at Eltham. There is a Recreation Centre at Chadwick Street, Westminster, with indoor facilities: snooker, table tennis, fitness centre, gymnasium, TV, conference rooms, bars and lounges. Members may use the Council's clubhouses and sports ground facilities throughout the country. Competitions and championships in many sports and recreations are organised in London and nationally. Application forms may be obtained from the Human Resources Office.
7.29. Membership of the Westminster Gymnasium is open to all permanent staff of the House. Facilities include gymnasium, sauna, aerobics and other classes. A joining fee and an annual membership fee are payable. Inquiries should be made on extension 5546.
7.30. Membership of the Houses of Parliament Sports and Social Club is open to staff permanently employed within the Palace of Westminster on payment of a small subscription. The Club's facilities include a bar with hot and cold snacks, darts, and a 0.22 rifle range. Football and rugby matches are arranged along with occasional golf and cricket events. Among various social events organised by the Club is the annual outing, which all permanent staff, not necessarily members of the Sports and Social Club, who have served six months or more are entitled to attend. Otherwise, the Club organises about 12 outings per year. Further details about membership are available from the Membership Secretary on extension 6138.
7.31. Membership of the Civil Service Club is open to staff of the House. Facilities include a large ground floor bar, with hot and cold food readily available; a dining room; and twenty-three bedrooms, some with showers ensuite, all with telephones and colour TV. Lounges, TV rooms and function rooms for private parties are also available. The Club organises a wide variety of activities for members of all ages. Details are available from the Human Resources Office. The Club is situated in Great Scotland Yard, off Whitehall.
7.32. There is an opportunity for staff to give blood at sessions which take place twice yearly in the Treasury building in Parliament Street, normally on Fridays in April and October. Dates and details are announced on the Staff Notice Board.
Civil Service Benevolent Fund
7.33. The benefits of the Civil Service Benevolent Fund are available to all serving and retired members of staff and their dependants, whether or not they contribute. The Fund provides residential nursing home care, convalescent facilities and financial assistance to those in need. Further details are available from the Welfare Officer.
7.34. The Fund is supported by the voluntary contributions of its members and staff contribute by regular subscription direct from salary. Further details may be obtained from the Human Resources Office.
Civil Service Lifeboat Fund
7.35. Staff have also contributed for many years, by an annual collection, to the Civil Service, Post Office and British Telecom Lifeboat Fund (CISPOTEL).
Other societies and associations
7.36. Other Civil Service societies and associations to which staff may belong, details of which are available from the Welfare Officer, include: The Civil Service Insurance Society Civil Service Healthcare The Civil Service Motoring Association The Civil Service Pensioners' Alliance The Civil Service Retirement Fellowship Benenden Healthcare The Nationwide Physiotherapy Service In addition, staff may benefit from a 45% discount on membership of BUPA, as extended to the BUPA Palace of Westminster Group. Staff should ring BUPA on 0800 289577 if they wish to benefit.
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