Question

To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker further to the Written Answer by Lord Gardiner of Kimble on 16 September (HL2734), what is the cost of Table Clerks' full uniform; and what cost estimates were obtained from alternative uniform suppliers.

While there is no standard cost for a Table Clerks’ full uniform as this depends on a number of variables, including the supplier used and the items required, purchases of full new uniforms in recent years were in the range of approximately £4,700 - £5,700 per person. Incidental repairs and additional items may also be required over the years as uniforms are worn.

Estimates for the full uniform were not obtained when the six new gowns were purchased in June 2020 for the additional Table Clerks joining the rota. This was partly because of the known costs from when these had been purchased previously, partly because of the potentially temporary nature of the new Table Clerks’ appointments, and partly because of the impracticality of sending staff to be personally measured for new fitted uniforms during the COVID pandemic when social distancing was still in operation.

Given the need to get new Table Clerks on the rota quickly, the decision was taken by the then Clerk of the Parliaments to purchase solicitors gowns instead of the full uniform. The total cost of these six gowns was £1,213.99, but due to an outstanding credit with the supplier the House actually paid £536 in total for the six gowns.