formal minutes - uk parliament...the draft report was agreed to: the formal minutes relating to the...

House of Commons Administration Committee

Formal Minutes

Session 2012–13

Administration Committee

The Administration Committee is appointed to consider the services provided for and by the House of Commons. This includes services provided to the public by Parliament, including visitor facilities, the Parliament website and education services. Current membership: Rt Hon. Sir Alan Haselhurst MP (Conservative, Saffron Walden) (Chair) Karen Bradley MP (Conservative, Staffordshire Moorlands) Thomas Docherty MP (Labour, Dunfermline and West Fife) Mark Hunter MP (Liberal Democrat, Cheadle) Mr Kevan Jones MP (Labour, North Durham) Mr Marcus Jones MP (Conservative, Nuneaton) Nigel Mills MP (Conservative, Amber Valley) David Morris MP (Conservative, Morecambe and Lunesdale) Tessa Munt MP (Liberal Democrat, Wells) John Penrose MP (Conservative, Weston-super-Mare) Rt Hon. Nicholas Soames MP (Conservative, Mid Sussex) Rt Hon. Mr John Spellar MP (Labour, Warley) Rt Hon. Mr Desmond Swayne MP (Conservative, New Forest West) Mark Tami MP (Labour, Alyn and Deeside) Rt Hon. Keith Vaz MP (Labour, Leicester East) Mr Dave Watts MP (Labour, St Helens North)

Other Members

The following were members of the Committee during this Session: Rosie Cooper MP (Labour, West Lancashire); Graham Evans MP (Conservative, Weaver Vale); Rt Hon. Mr Mark Francois MP (Conservative, Rayleigh and Wickford); Simon Kirby MP (Conservative, Brighton Kemptown); Dr Phillip Lee MP (Conservative, Bracknell); Sarah Newton MP (Conservative, Truro and Falmouth); Mike Weatherley MP (Conservative, Hove) Powers The powers of the Committee are set out in House of Commons SO No 139. Standing Orders are available on the Internet via www.parliament.uk.

Publications

The Reports and evidence of the Committee are published by The Stationery Office by Order of the House. All publications of the Committee are on the Internet at: http://www.parliament.uk/ac Committee staff The current staff of the Committee are Helen Wood (Clerk), Keith Neary (Second Clerk, Jennifer Kelly (Committee Assistant) and Lee Bridges (Media officer).

Contacts

All correspondence should be addressed to the Clerk of the Administration Committee, House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA. The telephone number for general enquiries is 020 7219 4151; the Committee’s email address is [email protected]

http://www.parliament.uk/

http://www.parliament.uk/ac

mailto:[email protected]

Formal Minutes

Monday 14 May 2012

Members present:

Sir Alan Haselhurst, in the Chair

Thomas Docherty Mr Mark Francois Nigel Mills

Sarah Newton Mr John Spellar Mark Tami

1. Derogations

Resolved, That the handling of requests for derogations from the ballots for the Attlee Suite and the Jubilee Room be delegated to the Chair for Session 2012-13.

Resolved, That the handling of requests for permission to perform music at events in the Commons precincts be delegated to the Chair for Session 2012-13.

Resolved, That the handling of requests for permission to stage exhibitions in the Upper Waiting Hall be delegated to the Chair for Session 2012-13.

Resolved, That the handling of requests for permission to hold events in the Atrium of Portcullis House be delegated to the Chair for Session 2012-13.

2. Committee attendance This matter was discussed. 3. Official souvenir guidebook Catherine Day, project manager, briefed the Committee in private. 4. Stationery services

Catherine Fogarty, Deliverer of the Vote, James Robertson, Director of Accommodation and Logistics Services, and John Owen, contract manager, briefed the Committee in private.

5. Visitor access and facilities

The Committee considered informally the Chair’s draft Report.

Draft Report (Visitor access and facilities), proposed by the Chair, brought up and Read. The draft Report was agreed to: the Formal Minutes relating to the consideration of the Report are published in the First Report of the Committee, HC 13.

[Adjourned till Monday 21 May at 4.30 pm

Monday 21 May 2012

Members present:


Rosie Cooper Thomas Docherty Graham Evans Mr Mark Francois Simon Kirby

Dr Phillip Lee Nigel Mills Mr John Spellar Mr Dave Watts

1. Breast cancer awareness day

Resolved, That the Chair communicate to Mr Speaker the Committee’s view on a proposal to illuminate the Palace of Westminster on Breast Cancer Awareness Day.

2. Postage This matter was discussed. 3. Savings programme This matter was discussed. 4. Diamond Jubilee This matter was discussed.

5. Information technology

Resolved, That in accordance with the Commission’s decision of 30 April 2012, the Committee move entirely to electronic distribution of committee papers.

6. Survey of services

Matthew Hamlyn, Head of the Office of the Chief Executive, Robert Twigger, Senior Responsible Officer for the Survey, John Benger, Director of Service Delivery at the Department for Information Services, and Neil Aulton, SPA Future Thinking, briefed the Committee in private.

7. Television: rules of coverage

The Committee considered informally the Chair’s draft Report.

Draft Report (Television: rules of coverage), proposed by the Chair, brought up and Read. The draft Report was agreed to: the Formal Minutes relating to the consideration of the Report are published in the Second Report of the Committee, HC 14.

8. Accommodation This matter was discussed.

[Adjourned till Monday 11 June at 4.30 pm

Monday 11 June 2012

Members present:


Rosie Cooper Graham Evans Mr Mark Francois Mr Kevan Jones Simon Kirby

Nigel Mills Tessa Munt Sarah Newton Mark Tami Mike Weatherley

1. Raffle Prizes

This matter was discussed. 2. Olympic Stamps

This matter was discussed. 3. Procurement

Myfanwy Barrett, Director of Finance, and Veronica Daly, Director of Commercial Services, briefed the Committee in private.

4. Annunciator system

This matter was discussed. 5. Accommodation This matter was discussed.

[Adjourned till Monday 18 June at 4.30 pm

Monday 18 June 2012

Members present:


Rosie Cooper Thomas Docherty Mr Mark Francois Simon Kirby

Nigel Mills Tessa Munt Mr John Spellar Mr Dave Watts

1. Annunciator system

This matter was discussed. 2. Flags This matter was discussed. 3. Stand-off protection works

This matter was discussed.

4. Clerk of the House

Robert Rogers, Clerk of the House and Chief Executive, House of Commons, briefed the Committee in private.

5. Postage

Resolved, That the Chair communicate the Committee’s views on proposed changes to postage arrangements to the Finance and Services Committee and to the Commission.

[Adjourned till Monday 2 July at 4.30 pm

Monday 2 July 2012

Members present:

Rosie Cooper Thomas Docherty Graham Evans Nigel Mills

Sarah Newton Mr John Spellar Mark Tami Mr Dave Watts

In the temporary absence of the Chair, Mr John Spellar was called to the Chair for the meeting, in accordance with the Resolution of 17 October 2011. 1. Future programme

This matter was discussed. 2. Summer works programme

Resolved, That the Chair communicate to the Leader of the House the Committee’s views on the summer works programme.

3. Access to the House

Resolved, That the Chair communicate to the Chair of the Committee on Standards and Privileges the Committee’s views on access to House facilities.

4. All-party parliamentary groups

Resolved, That the Chair communicate to Mr Speaker the Committee’s views on the report of the working group on all-party groups.

[Adjourned till Monday 3 September at 4.30 pm

Monday 3 September 2012

Members present:

Sir Alan Haselhurst (in the Chair)

Graham Evans Mark Francois Mr Kevan Jones Simon Kirby

Dr Phillip Lee Nigel Mills Mark Tami Mike Weatherley

1. Future programme

This matter was discussed. 2. Derogation

Ordered, That a derogation from the rules relating to use of the Atrium in Portcullis House be granted to the Industry and Parliament Trust for the purpose of a sponsored cycle ride to raise funds for the Royal British Legion’s Remembrance Day fund.

3. Broadcasting

Resolved, That the Committee endorse recommendations that codes allowing embedding of live proceedings to be applied to coverage at the earliest opportunity and the necessary licence be updated to allow wider use of parliamentary content on non-commercial websites. Resolved, That the Committee endorse a recommendation to make video feeds available to online sites for a six-month period.

4. Visitor Access and Facilities and Television Rules of Coverage

Draft Report (Visitor Access and Facilities and Television Rules of Coverage: Response to the Committee’s First and Second Reports of Session 2012-13), proposed by the Chair, brought up, read the first and second time, and agreed to. The Commission’s response to the First Report from the Committee was appended to the Report. Resolved, That the Report be the First Special Report of the Committee to the House.

Ordered, That the Chair make the Report to the House.

5. Environmental Management

Resolved, That the Committee endorse proposals to align temperatures in the House of Commons with CIBSE guidelines and to alter arrangements for the provision of waste bins.

6. Portcullis House Atrium


7. Access to facilities


8. Survey of Services: Facilities

This matter was discussed

[Adjourned till Monday 15 October at 4.30 pm

Monday 15 October 2012

Members present:


Rosie Cooper Thomas Docherty Graham Evans Mr Kevan Jones Simon Kirby Dr Phillip Lee

Nigel Mills Tessa Munt Mr John Spellar Mark Tami Mr Dave Watts Mike Weatherley

1. Parliamentary Shop

This matter was discussed. 2. BBC Parliament



Resolved, That the Chair inform Mr Speaker of the Committee’s view that fast-track access to the House should be provided to the permanent representatives of United Kingdom Overseas Territories, subject to similar approval from the relevant authorities in the House of Lords.

4. Elizabeth Tower

Resolved, That the Chair inform Mr Speaker of the Committee’s view that permission should not be granted for a launch of the “Britain on Foot” programme from the Elizabeth Tower.

5. Department for Human Resources and Change

The Committee met privately with Andrew Walker, Director-General of Human Resources and Change, and Tara Cullen, Assistant to the Director-General. Resolved, That the Committee seek a memorandum on the performance of the House of Commons nursery. Resolved, That the Committee seek a memorandum on the provision of health services to Members and staff.

6. Houses of Parliament Travel Office

The Committee met privately with Andrew Walker, Director-General of Human Resources and Change, Andy Martin, Member Liaison Officer, DHRC, and Thomas Docherty MP, Chair of the Travel Office Consumer Panel. Resolved, That the Committee endorse extension of the existing Travel Office contract to August 2014 should it be considered appropriate by the relevant officers of the House.

7. Post-Election Services

Resolved, That the Committee seek memoranda on post-election services for Members of Parliament.



Members present:


Thomas Docherty Graham Evans Mr Kevan Jones

Nigel Mills Mr John Spellar Mark Tami

1. Elizabeth Tower

This matter was discussed. 2. Parliamentary Shop


3. Broadcasting


4. Filming

Ordered, That permission be granted to Steve Baker MP to enable filming of portions of a meeting of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Economics, Money and Banking.

5. Serjeant at Arms

The Committee met privately with Lawrence Ward, Serjeant at Arms. 6. Catering

The Committee met privately with Richard Tapner-Evans, Interim Director of Catering, and Philip Collins, Finance Director, Department of Facilities.



Members present:


Thomas Docherty Graham Evans Simon Kirby Nigel Mills

Mr John Spellar Mr Desmond Swayne Mr Dave Watts Mike Weatherley

1. Declaration of interests

Mr Desmond Swayne declared his interests in accordance with the Resolution of the House of 13 July 1992 (see appendix).


This matter was discussed. 3. Visitor Services


4. Publications

Resolved, That the Chair inform Mr Speaker of the Committee’s view concerning publication of House information documents.

5. Banqueting rules

This matter was discussed

6. Catering service

The Committee met privately with Richard Tapner-Evans, Interim Director of Catering, and Jon Hewett, Business Improvement Team Leader.

Resolved, That the Committee endorse the approach proposed by the Catering Service on staff loyalty and discount schemes and on future operation of the Debate cafeteria.

Resolved, That the Chair communicate to the Finance and Services Committee the Committee’s views on the Catering Business Improvement Plan.

[Adjourned till Monday 5 November at 4.30 pm

Monday 5 November 2012

Members present:


Graham Evans Simon Kirby Nigel Mills Mr John Spellar

Mr Desmond Swayne Mark Tami Keith Vaz Mr Dave Watts

1. Declaration of interests

Mr Keith Vaz declared his interests in accordance with the Resolution of the House of 13 July 1992 (see appendix).


This matter was discussed. 3. House of Commons Administration Estimate


4. Restoration and Renewal


5. Civil Ceremonies

The Committee met privately with Robert Gibbs, Operations Manager, Catering Service.

6. Market Testing

The Committee met privately with John Borley, Director General, James Robertson, Director of Accommodation and Logistics Services, and Gavin Price, Market Testing strand leader, Department of Facilities.



Members present:


Simon Kirby Tessa Munt Sarah Newton

Mr Desmond Swayne Mark Tami Mr Dave Watts

1. Holocaust Memorial Day

Resolved, That the Committee support proposals to mark Holocaust Memorial Day. 2. Access to Facilities


3. Permissions

Resolved, That the Chair communicate the Committee’s views to Mr Speaker on several requests for permission to host events on the parliamentary estate.

4. Parliamentary Information and Communications Technology (PICT)

The Committee met privately with Joan Miller, Director, Matthew Taylor, Director of Operations and Members’ Services, and Fergus Reid, Director of Resources, PICT.



Members present:


Thomas Docherty Simon Kirby Mr Desmond Swayne

Mark Tami Keith Vaz Mr Dave Watts

1. PICT

This matter was discussed. 2. Switchboard


3. Information Services and income generation

The Committee met privately with John Pullinger, Director General of Information Services, Sue Harrison, Director of Business Strategy, and Debs Newman, Head of Visitor Services. Resolved, That the Committee support proposals to alter the Library’s opening hours.



Members present:


Thomas Docherty Graham Evans Mr Kevan Jones Nigel Mills Sarah Newton

Mr Desmond Swayne Mark Tami Keith Vaz Mr Dave Watts Mike Weatherley

1. Filming Request

This matter was discussed. 2. Annunciator service

The Committee met privately with Mel Barlex, Parliamentary Director of Estates.

3. Mechanical and Engineering works

The Committee met privately with Mel Barlex, Parliamentary Director of Estates.

[Adjourned till Monday 3 December at 4.30 pm

Monday 10 December 2012

Members present:


Karen Bradley Thomas Docherty Graham Evans Mr Kevan Jones Mr Marcus Jones Nigel Mills

David Morris Tessa Munt Mr John Spellar Mr Desmond Swayne Mark Tami Keith Vaz

1. Declarations of interests

Karen Bradley, Mr Marcus Jones, and David Morris declared their interests in accordance with the Resolution of the House of 13 July 1992 (see appendix).

2. Clock Tower

Resolved, That the Chair communicate to Mr Speaker the Committee’s views on two proposals for use of the Clock Tower.

3. Broadcasting

Resolved, That the Committee endorse a proposal to broadcast the Liaison Committee’s session on 11 December via the Annunciator system.

4. Security

This matter was discussed. 5. Christmas mail services



Resolved, That the Chair report to Mr Speaker the Committee’s views on arrangements for access for former Members of the House.

7. Television: rules of coverage

The Committee met privately with John Angeli, Parliamentary Director of Broadcasting.

Resolved, That the Chair report to Mr Speaker and the Commission the Committee’s views on the trial of new television camera angles in the Chamber conducted at the UK Youth Parliament sitting in the House on 23 November.

8. Future programme

Resolved, That the Committee not meet on Monday 7 January 2013. Resolved, That the Committee inquire into arrangements for filming and photography in the House. Resolved, That the Committee inquire into policies for the regulation and registration of all-party groups and their use of House facilities.


The Committee met privately with John Greenaway, Director of Business Management, Department of Facilities. Resolved, That the Committee seek a memorandum from the Director of Business Management and the Director of Parliamentary Estates on proposed works in the Atrium.

[Adjourned till Monday 17 December at 4.30 pm


Members present:


Karen Bradley Thomas Docherty Graham Evans Mr Kevan Jones Mr Marcus Jones Nigel Mills

David Morris John Penrose Mr John Spellar Mark Tami Keith Vaz Mr Dave Watts


John Penrose declared his interests in accordance with the Resolution of the House of 13 July 1992 (see appendix).

2. Portcullis House Atrium renewal

The Committee met privately with Mel Barlex, Director of Parliamentary Estates, Richard Tapner-Evans, interim Director of Catering, and John Greenaway, Director of Business Management, Department of Facilities.

3. Induction of new Members of Parliament



This matter was discussed. Resolved, That the Committee invite the Rt Hon. Jack Straw, Chair of the Speakers’ Working Group on All-party Parliamentary Groups, to brief it on his group’s report.

5. Filming and photography


6. Switchboard


7. Insurance


[Adjourned till Monday 14 January at 4.30 pm

Monday 14 January 2013

Members present:


Karen Bradley Thomas Docherty Mr Kevan Jones Mr Marcus Jones Nigel Mills David Morris Tessa Munt

John Penrose Mr John Spellar Mr Desmond Swayne Mark Tami Keith Vaz Mr Dave Watts

1. Switchboard

This matter was discussed. 2. Portcullis House Atrium renewal


3. Broadcasting

This matter was discussed. 4. Parliamentary estate works


5. Educational visits

The Committee met privately with Aileen Walker, Director of Public Engagement.

6. Induction of new Members of Parliament

The Committee met privately with Sir Robert Rogers, Clerk of the House and Chief Executive of the House of Commons; Marianne Cwynarski, Head of Central Communications, Office of the Chief Executive; Fiona Channon, Accommodation Manager, Department of Resources; Lawrence Ward, Serjeant at Arms; Matthew Taylor,

Director of Operations and Member Services, PICT; and John Benger, Director of Service Delivery, Department for Information Services.



Members present:


Karen Bradley Thomas Docherty Graham Evans Mr Kevan Jones Mr Marcus Jones Nigel Mills David Morris

Tessa Munt John Penrose Mr John Spellar Mr Desmond Swayne Mark Tami Keith Vaz Mr Dave Watts

1. Uses of the Elizabeth Tower

Resolved, That the Chair communicate to the Serjeant at Arms the Committee’s views on proposals to use the Elizabeth Tower.

2. Stationery

Resolved, That the Chair communicate to Dr Michael Bernal the Committee’s views on a proposal relating to the uses of stationery.

3. Travel Office Consumer Panel

Resolved, That the Chair of the Travel Office Consumer Panel communicate to the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority information relating to the operations of the Travel Office.

4. Car parking

Resolved, That the Chair communicate to the Director of Accommodation and Logistics and to the Chair of Committees in the House of Lords the Committee’s views on proposals relating to uses of the House of Commons Underground Car Park.


Resolved, That the Committee not support a present proposal to remodel the Portcullis House Atrium and request that the House of Commons Management Board produce a revised proposal.

6. Catering and Retail Services in the House of Commons

Resolved, That further implementation of the recommendations made in the Committee’s Report on Catering and Retail Services in the House of Commons (HC 560) and agreed by the House of Commons Commission be undertaken within the Catering Service Business Improvement Plan. Resolved, That the Committee support introduction of new proposed guidelines on the regulation of externally catered events in the House. Resolved, That the Committee note progress towards the introduction of cashless payment systems in House of Commons catering facilities. Resolved, That the Committee seek memoranda on the use of House catering facilities in light of the change of the sitting hours of the House introduced in October 2012. Resolved, That the Chair seek the approval of the Speaker for proposed changes in access to the Members’ Dining Room for members of the House of Lords. Resolved, That the Chair communicate to the Finance and Services Committee the Committee’s views on proposed price changes in the House’s catering services. Resolved, That the Chair and Mr Dave Watts seek a meeting with the Commission to discuss the impact of new sitting hours on the operation of the House’s catering facilities.



Members present:


Karen Bradley Thomas Docherty Mr Kevan Jones Mr Marcus Jones Nigel Mills Tessa Munt

John Penrose Mr John Spellar Mr Desmond Swayne Mark Tami Keith Vaz Mr Dave Watts

1. Future programme

This matter was discussed. 2. Catering


3. Filming requests

Resolved, That all requests for filming in the Clock Tower or illumination of the Clock Tower or Palace be refused until the Committee has concluded its inquiry into filming and photography regulations.

4. Employment practices


5. House of Commons Nursery

This matter was discussed. 6. Retail services

This matter was discussed. 7. Members’ Cloakroom

Resolved, That the Committee recommend that nameplates in the Members’ Cloakroom be organised alphabetically by constituency at the soonest convenient moment.

8. Operator Bureau

The Committee met privately with Matthew Taylor, Operations and Members’ Services Director, PICT.

9. Induction of new Members The Committee met privately with Matt Korris, Senior Researcher, Hansard Society.

[Adjourned till Monday 4 February at 4.30 pm

Monday 4 February 2013

Members present:


Karen Bradley Graham Evans Mr Kevan Jones Mr Marcus Jones Tessa Munt

John Penrose Mr John Spellar Mr Desmond Swayne Mark Tami

1. Visitor Signage

This matter was discussed. 2. Nursery

The Committee met privately with Andrew Walker, Director General, Department of Human Resources and Change, and Anne Foster, Head of Diversity.

3. Broadcasting

The Committee met privately with John Angeli, Director of Parliamentary Broadcasting.

[Adjourned till Monday 25 February at 4.30 pm

Monday 25 February 2013

Members present:


Karen Bradley Thomas Docherty Mr Marcus Jones Tessa Munt

Mr John Spellar Mr Desmond Swayne Keith Vaz Mr Dave Watts


The Committee met privately with the rt. Hon. Jack Straw MP.

2. Catering


[Adjourned till Monday 4 March at 4.30 pm

Monday 4 March 2013

Members present:


Karen Bradley Thomas Docherty Tessa Munt John Penrose

Mr Desmond Swayne Mark Tami Dave Watts

1. Induction

Ordered, That the Committee take oral evidence from The Institute for Government, MAPSA, Unite, and IPSA. Ordered, That the following written evidence relating to post-election induction services be reported to the House for publication on the internet:

Kate Green MP Dr Therese Coffey MP Nicky Morgan MP Duncan Hames MP Paul Blomfield MP Adam Afriye MP Alex Cunningham MP Sue Plimmer-Clarke (MP’s staff) Institute for Government Royal Society of Chemistry

2. All-Party Parliamentary Groups

Ordered, That the Committee seek memoranda from the Serjeant at Arms, the Registrar of Members’ Interests and the Commissioner for Parliamentary Standards.

3. Members’ Centre

The Committee met privately with Steve Wise, Director of Information Management, Information Services.

4. Catering

The Committee met privately with Richard Tapner-Evans, Director of Catering. Resolved, That the Committee support a proposal to provide the Churchill Room for banqueting functions on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 15 April 2013. Resolved, That the Committee support a proposal to open the Terrace Pavilion Buffet on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 2 July to 19 July 2013. Resolved, That the Committee support a proposal to close the Members’ Tea Room and Terrace Cafeteria at 9 pm on Tuesdays from 15 April 2013. Resolved, That the Committee support a proposal to re-model the Despatch Box coffee shop and adapt the beverage area of the Adjournment restaurant. Resolved, That the Committee support proposals to extend access to the Adjournment restaurant, Strangers’ Dining Room and Churchill Dining Room to all passholders from 15 April 2013. Resolved, That the Committee support proposals to introduce new menus in the Adjournment restaurant and Strangers’ Dining Room.


Monday 11 March 2013

Members present:


Karen Bradley Mr Kevan Jones Mr Marcus Jones Tessa Munt

John Penrose Mark Tami Mr Dave Watts

1. Restoration and renewal project

Resolved, That the Committee support a proposal from John Thurso MP to nominate Tessa Munt MP as a member of the Study Group on the Restoration and Renewal of the Palace of Westminster.

2. Broadcasting

This matter was discussed. 3. Induction: First Weeks at Westminster

The Committee met privately with Alix Langley, Head of Human Resources, and Dapo Coker, Head of the Personnel Advisory Service, Department of Human Resources and Change.

4. School visits

The Committee met privately with John Pullinger, Director General, Aileen Walker, Director of Public Information, and Edge Watchorn, Head of Education, Department for Information Services. Resolved, That the Committee support a proposal by the Education Service to offer a proportion of Central Tours Office Tours to schools on education bookings days.

5. Visitor Access and Facilities

The Committee met privately with John Pullinger, Director General, Aileen Walker, Director of Public Information, and Edge Watchorn, Head of Education, Department for Information Services. Resolved, That the Committee consider how best to define core parliamentary business for the purposes of booking systems and priority access to the parliamentary estate.



Members present:

Karen Bradley Thomas Docherty Graham Evans

John Penrose Mr John Spellar Mr Desmond Swayne

Nigel Mills David Morris Tessa Munt

Mark Tami Keith Vaz Mr Dave Watts

In the temporary absence of the Chair, Mr John Spellar was called to the Chair for the meeting, in accordance with the Resolution of 17 October 2011. 1. House of Commons works

This matter was discussed. 2. Accommodation

This matter was discussed. 3. Business improvement

The Committee met privately with James Robertson, Director of Accommodation and Logistics, and Gavin Price, Director of Business Improvement.

4. Fire Safety

The Committee met privately with Jim Fitzpatrick, Member representative on the Fire Safety Committee, and Charlotte Simmonds, Head of Fire Safety.

5. First weeks at Westminster: induction for new Members

Rt Hon. Peter Riddell, Director, and Zoe Gruhn, Director of Learning and Development, Institute for Government; Max Freedman, Parliamentary Branch Chair, and Lauren Edwards, Branch Secretary, Unite; and Lisa Townsend, Chairman, and Georgina Kester, Members and Peers Staff Association, gave oral evidence.



Members present:


Karen Bradley Thomas Docherty Mr Kevan Jones

John Penrose Mr John Spellar Mr Desmond Swayne

Mr Marcus Jones Nigel Mills Tessa Munt

Keith Vaz Mr Dave Watts

1. Post Office services

This matter was discussed. 2. Schools Transport Subsidy

Resolved, That the Committee support a proposal to raise the Schools Transport Subsidy band levels by 25 per cent from April 2013. Resolved, That the Committee support a proposal to extend the Schools Transport Subsidy to Member-sponsored groups booked through the Central Tours Office, and allied changes in booking systems, from September 2013.

3. First weeks at Westminster: induction for new Members

Andrew McDonald, Chief Executive, and John Sills, Director of Policy, Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, gave oral evidence.

[Adjourned till Monday 15 April at 4.30 pm

Monday 15 April 2013

Members present:


Thomas Docherty Mr Kevan Jones Nigel Mills John Penrose Nicholas Soames

Mr John Spellar Mr Desmond Swayne Mark Tami Keith Vaz Mr Dave Watts


Nicholas Soames declared his interests in accordance with the Resolution of the House of 13 July 1992 (see appendix).

2. Post Office services

This matter was discussed. 3. Annunciator service

Resolved, That the Committee support proposals to expand and modernise the Annunciator service.

[Adjourned till Monday 22 April at 4.30 pm


Members present:


Karen Bradley Thomas Docherty Mr Marcus Jones Nigel Mills Tessa Munt John Penrose

Mr John Spellar Mr Desmond Swayne Mark Tami Keith Vaz Mr Dave Watts

1. Induction of new Members

Ordered, That the written evidence from Dr. Emma Crewe, Leverhulme Research Fellow at the School of Oriental and African Studies, relating to post-election induction services be reported to the House for publication on the internet.

2. Signage programme

Jon Prew, Chair of the Estate Signage Group, briefed the Committee in private. 3. Catering prices

Richard Tapner Evans, Catering Operations Director, briefed the Committee in private. Resolved, That the Chair communicate the Committee’s views on the catering pricing policy to the Chair of the Finance and Services Committee.

[Adjourned till Monday 13 May at 4.30 pm

APPENDIX

The Members listed declared their interests on the dates specified, and as follows:


Rt Hon. Mr Desmond Swayne declared the following interests:

2. Remunerated employment, office, profession etc Major, Territorial Army. Address: Army Pay Office, Brown Street,

Glasgow. 1 December 2011, I received £288.48 from the Army Pay Office in payment for 2 days military training on 5 and 6 November 2011. (Registered 16 January 2012)

Populus Northburgh House 10 Northburgh St London EC1V 0AT

£75 received for completing questionnaire in March 2011. Money paid to charity. Hours: 60 mins. (Registered 4 May 2011)

8. Land and Property Two residential leasehold flats in West London, for which rent is received.


Rt Hon. Keith Vaz declared the following interests:

5. Gifts, benefits and hospitality (UK) I am invited from time to time into the directors’ box at Leicester City football Club to watch matches.

8. Land and Property I own a property at 144 Uppingham Road, Leicester, which is used as my constituency office. Flat in London, from which rental income is received. I own a house in Leicester which is part rented.

11. Miscellaneous Barrister (not practising).


Karen Bradley declared no interests.

Mr Marcus Jones declared the following interests:

2. Remunerated employment, office, profession etc Payments from ComRes, 4 Millbank, London, SW1P 3JA, for completing opinion surveys: May 2011, £75. Hours: 30 mins. Payment donated to Nuneaton Conservative Association. (Registered 30 August 2011) July 2011, £75. Hours: 30 mins. Payment donated to Nuneaton Conservative Association. (Registered 30 August 2011) £75 for January/February 2012 survey completed on 24 January 2012. Hours: 40 mins. Payment donated to Nuneaton Conservative Association. (Registered 29 February 2012) £75 for February/March 2012 survey completed on 7 March 2012. Hours: 40 mins. Payment donated to Nuneaton Conservative Association. (Registered 7 March 2012)

David Morris declared the following interests:

8. Land and Property Shop premises in Greater Manchester from which rental income is received.


John Penrose declared the following interests:

8. Land and Property House in Somerset. Part share of house in France.


Rt Hon. Nicholas Soames declared the following interests: 1. Remunerated directorships

AEGIS Defence Services Limited (non-executive). Address: 84 Eccleston Square, London SW1V 1PX. Attend meetings in pursuit of duties as non-executive director and (since 1 January 2010) non-executive chairman.

Received monthly salary for February 2012 of £4,833.46 net. Hours: 15 hrs. (Registered 12 March 2012) Received monthly salary for March 2012 of £4,833.46 net. Hours: 15 hrs. (Registered 3 April 2012)

Received monthly salary for April 2012 of £8,333 gross. Hours: 15 hrs. (Registered 1 May 2012) Received monthly salary for May 2012 of £8,333 gross. Hours: 15 hrs. (Registered 11 June 2012) Received monthly salary for June 2012 of £8,333.33 gross. Hours: 15 hrs. (Registered 3 July 2012) Received monthly salary for July 2012 of £8,333.33 gross. Hours: 15 hrs. (Registered 2 August 2012) Received monthly salary for August 2012 of £8,333.33 gross. Hours: 15 hrs. (Registered 10 September 2012) Received monthly salary for September 2012 of £8,333.33 gross. Hours: 15 hrs. (Registered 9 October 2012) Received monthly salary for October 2012 of £8,333.33 gross. Hours: 15 hrs. (Registered 1 November 2012) Received monthly salary for November 2012 of £8,333.33 gross. Hours: 15 hrs. (Registered 7 December 2012) Received monthly salary for December 2012 of £8,333.33 gross. Hours: 15 hrs. (Registered 8 January 2013) Received monthly salary for January 2013 of £33,333.33 gross. Hours: 15 hrs. (Registered 4 February 2013) Received monthly salary for February 2013 of £8,333.33 gross. Hours: 15 hrs. (Registered 5 March 2013)

Aggregated Micro Power plc (non-executive); renewable energy investment business. Address: Hasilwood House, 62 Bishopsgate, London EC2N 4AW.

14 January 2103, received two payments each of £9,000 gross for the periods July – September 2012 and October – December 2012; £18,000 in total. Hours: 20 hrs in total. (Registered 14 January 2013)

2. Remunerated employment, office, profession etc

Senior Adviser, MMC Group; insurance and related financial services. Address: Marsh Ltd, Tower Place, London, EC3R 5BU. Work includes attending meetings and advising on business opportunities. Received monthly salary for February 2012 of £5,956.82 net. Hours: 15 hrs. (Registered 12 March 2012) Received monthly salary for March 2012 of £3,563,04 net. Hours: 15 hrs. (Registered 3 April 2012) Received monthly salary for April 2012 of £7,660 gross. Hours: 15 hrs. (Registered 1 May 2012) £7,671.47 gross 255 Received monthly salary for May 2012 of £7,671.47 gross. Hours: 15 hrs. (Registered 11 June 2012)

Received monthly salary for June 2012 of £7,910.12 gross. Hours: 15 hrs. (Registered 3 July 2012) Received monthly salary for July 2012 of £7,660.12 gross. Hours: 15 hrs. (Registered 2 August 2012) Received monthly salary for August 2012 of £7,671.67 gross. Hours: 15 hrs. (Registered 10 September 2012) Received monthly salary for September 2012 of £7,660.12 gross. Hours: 15 hrs. (Registered 9 October 2012) Received monthly salary for October 2012 of £7,660.12 gross. Hours: 15 hrs. (Registered 1 November 2012) Received monthly salary for November 2012 of £7,671.67 gross. Hours: 15 hrs. (Registered 7 December 2012) Received monthly salary for December 2012 of £7,660.12 gross. Hours: 15 hrs. (Registered 8 January 2013) Received monthly salary for January 2013 of £7,910.12 gross. Hours: 15 hrs. (Registered 6 February 2013) Received monthly salary for February 2013 of £13,171.67 gross. Hours: 15 hrs. (Registered 5 March 2013)

Senior Advisor on Strategic Issues to Intrepid Capital Partners, 199 Knightsbridge, London SW7 1RE.

7 February 2012, received annual payment of £20,000 net. Hours: 30 hrs. (Registered 28 February 2012)

6. Overseas visits

Name of donor: Falcon and Associates Address of donor: PO Box 214432, Dubai, UAE Amount of donation (or estimate of the probable value): Approx £4,000 for flights and approx £1,500 for accommodation Destination of visit: Dubai Date of visit: 29 March 2012 to 1 April 2012 Purpose of visit: Annual Falcon and Associates Round Table and visit to Dubai World Cup (Registered 3 May 2012 )

11. Miscellaneous

Co-Chair of the Cross Party Group on Balanced Migration. Migrationwatch UK provides secretarial, research and administrative support, pays for printing costs and maintains the group’s website. Quiller Consultants, which is a consultancy, is paid by its client, Migrationwatch UK, to act as consultants to the group. (Registered 9 May 2011)

formal minutes - uk parliament...the draft report was agreed to: the formal minutes relating to the...

Documents