Asked by: Michael Fabricant (Conservative - Lichfield)
Question to the Leader of the House:
To ask the Leader of the House, if he will open an inquiry into historical charges of bullying in the House of Commons; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Jacob Rees-Mogg
This Government has made clear that there is no place for bullying, harassment, or sexual harassment in Parliament and by working cross party, we will ensure everyone working in Parliament is treated with dignity and respect. An independent inquiry into bullying and harassment of House of Commons staff was carried out by Dame Laura Cox and her report was published in 2018. Following on from this, Gemma White QC carried out an independent inquiry on bullying and harassment of past and present staff of Members of Parliament, as well as Members themselves, and her report was published in 2019. A key recommendation of both reports was that the Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme should be amended, so as to ensure that those employees with complaints involving historical allegations can access the Scheme. As a result, in July 2019, the House of Commons approved the steps to make the necessary changes to extend the scheme to include historical allegations and that came into effect on 21 October 2019. An 18-month review of the Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme is due in June 2020.
Asked by: Michael Fabricant (Conservative - Lichfield)
Question to the Leader of the House:
To ask the Leader of the House, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of announcing all Parliamentary recesses 12 months in advance subject to the progress of House of Commons business.
Answered by Jacob Rees-Mogg
I announced recess dates, up to the conference recess, on 9 January 2020 (Official report, col. 616). As ever, recess is subject to the progress of business and the agreement of the House. Further provisional recess dates for 2020 will be announced to the House in due course. I will look to provide as much forward notice on recess dates as is possible.
Asked by: Michael Fabricant (Conservative - Lichfield)
Question to the Leader of the House:
To ask the Leader of the House, if he will ensure that a debate with an opportunity for a division is held on the report by the House of Commons Governance Committee on the Governance of the House of Commons, HC 692.
Answered by Lord Hague of Richmond
Yes. I will ensure that the House has an early opportunity to debate the report from the House of Commons Governance Committee and to act upon it on an agreed basis.
Asked by: Michael Fabricant (Conservative - Lichfield)
Question to the Leader of the House:
To ask the Leader of the House, if he will bring forward proposals to implement the recommendation of the Procedure Committee in its Fifth Report of 2010-12, 2010 Elections for Positions in the House, HC 1573, paragraph 19, that the House be invited to decide whether on the first day of a new Parliament, where the Presiding Member's decision on the question that a former Speaker take the Chair is challenged, the question should be decided by secret ballot or by open division.
Answered by Lord Hague of Richmond
The Government agrees with the Procedure Committee that it is a matter for the House to determine.