Question

To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker, further to the Written Answer by Lord Gardiner of Kimble on 16 September (HL2734), and the recommendation of the report of the Select Committee on Procedure of the House, Fourth Report from the Select Committee on Procedure of the House, 4th Report, 1997–98 (HL Paper 144) that "there would be no change in the dress worn by Officers of the House", on what authority the decision to change Table Clerks' uniform was taken.

Decisions on the uniform worn by Table Clerks are matters for the Clerk of the Parliaments as Accounting Officer and employer of staff.

The Procedure Committee report referred to was a report about the formal dress for the Lord Chancellor. The report noted that there would be no change in the dress worn by Officers of the House, but this was a statement of fact taken note of by the Committee, rather than a decision of the Committee or the House.

The Clerk of the Parliaments is open to conversation with any member about any of his responsibilities.