Question

To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker what is the estimated cost of the independent inquiry into bullying and harassment in the House of Lords; and what is the level of remuneration being paid to Naomi Ellenbogen QC.

The inquiry into bullying and harassment, launched on 19 December 2018, is being led independently by Naomi Ellenbogen QC. The inquiry relates to and has sought contributions from a number of key stakeholder groups, including current and, where possible, former:

• House of Lords Administration staff (including agency and interim staff), and employee representative groups;
• Members of the House of Lords;
• Staff of Members of the House of Lords; and
• Staff of the House of Commons, MPs’ staff, and staff of shared or bicameral services in Parliament.

Naomi Ellenbogen QC is being remunerated on the basis of a daily fee of £2000 plus VAT for each full day worked exclusively on the inquiry, and an hourly fee of £225 plus VAT where only part of the day is spent working on the inquiry. The contract through which Ms Ellenbogen has been engaged defines a full day as constituting 8 hours, and provides that time engaged in report writing will be payable at the agreed hourly rate.

While the costs of the inquiry are being paid by the House of Lords, the overall cost will depend on a number of variable factors outside the Administration’s control, in particular the volume of evidence received.