Clerk of the Parliaments

Lord Purvis of Tweed Excerpts

Monday 13th April 2026 Lords Chamber

For now, in the sincerest tones of personal fondness and friendship, I thank Simon for his long service and wish him the very best for a long and ever-contented future.

[Lord Purvis of Tweed (LD)]

My Lords, there have been on 65 Clerks of the Parliaments in the 700 years or more since the role was formed and, as the Leader said, only 20 since the 1824 Act—which governs the role now in statute and argued then for the salary to be the princely sum of £40. It was not set on whether it was inflation-linked, but I am sure that the new clerk will be glad that it was not. That period included the 77 years of the “father and son” role of the Scottish Rose family, almost hereditary in nature for the Clerks of the Parliaments. At that time, their role included a spell in which a sitting MP was also Clerk of the Parliaments in this House—taking joint services a step too far.

The role today, as the Leader said, is in many respects greatly different from that as set out in that legislation. It has been an uneasy one, perhaps—being chief adviser on procedure, master of Norman French but also head of procurement, overseeing security and being responsible for almost constant catering complaints. Simon’s career since 1988 in the House has been marked by courtesy and openness as well as a deep love of parliamentary practice. Those who chaired committees which he clerked, and those such as I who have worked closely with him more recently, have found common features—tirelessness of work, professionalism, courtesy and a real sense of dedication.

Simon was also at the forefront of innovation and change—words sometimes unfamiliar over many years about the House of Lords but which have been led by Simon. He has overseen long-term security and safety of parliamentary archives, huge advances in digital services and professionalising and improving staffing conditions for all who work in this institution. This was put to very effective use when as Clerk Assistant he was responsible for parliamentary services through the very testing times of Covid. Ironically, for some, the House of Lords moved faster and more effectively than the House of Commons. We have learned lessons that benefit us today. We thank Simon and the whole team for that. He took up the Clerk of the Parliaments role when Covid restrictions were still in place, and the Duke of Edinburgh died on his second day in office. His role as part of the term of the connected ceremonies and procedures for that but also for the state funeral of Her Late Majesty and the accession of King Charles was seen not just by us as Members of this House but around the world. He put this institution in good stead, with great respect, having carried out those functions with great success.

The changes in procedures, standards, approaches to working, and, indeed, as referred to by the noble Lord, Lord True, the R&R project, in which Simon has had much more of a hands-on role perhaps than the Roses did as his predecessors in the 1840s and 1850s, all mark an extremely active period of which Simon can be rightly proud.

On a personal note, I often reflect on the working environment of the House now compared with a period when I was an assistant to a Peer in 1997. Simon, working first with and then leading colleagues across the House, has transformed this place into a more professional, safe and respectful one for all who work here in whatever form. Perhaps that is his legacy, of which he can be proud, and we can be most thankful that the House of Lords carries out its constitutional functions well and in a way where all Members and staff are valued. We are extremely grateful for his role in doing that.

These Benches, of course, wish his successor as the 66th clerk the greatest of success. We are very confident that she will bring all her outstanding skills to that role and will be a great success. These Benches share the remarks of the Leader and the noble Lord, Lord True, and wish Simon a very happy retirement with our grateful thanks.