Question

To ask the hon. Member for Broxbourne, representing the House of Commons Commission, what plans there are to provide a replacement to the Derby Gate library facilities for the staff of hon. Members.

The Derby Gate library was closed on 3 September 2018 to make way for works initiated by the Northern Estates Programme.

In anticipation of the closure, the Library worked with Members and In-House Services to identify alternative workspace and service point(s) for use by Members’ staff. The Library considered sharing space within the House of Lords eLibrary, based in Millbank, though this did not meet requirements.

Instead, in July 2018 the Administration Committee approved plans for a new Customer Services Hub based in Portcullis House (PCH) – Administration Committee’s Notes of discussion, 23 July 2018. Informed by feedback from Members that a ‘one stop’ service centre would improve visibility and access to services, the Hub initially provided access to Library, Digital, Security and procedural services in addition to some, albeit limited, access to workspace for use by both Members and Members’ staff.

The Library ceased to provide a permanent service-point in the Customer Services Hub from January 2020. This was in response to low usage in 2019 and, in addition, feedback from Members and Members’ staff that additional workspace was required. By moving from the Hub, the Library thus freed-up additional space. This decision followed the principle, agreed by the House of Commons Commission in May 2018, that the Library and other services should reduce their footprint on the Northern Estate to make way for additional Members’ workspace when required – House of Commons Commission Decisions, 14 May 2018.

All the same, the Library continues to welcome Members’ staff into the Oriel Room (the reception area of the main Library suite within the Palace) to browse briefing papers, request book loans and place requests face to face with Library staff. Members’ staff are also welcome to consult documents in the Reference Room of the Library, on request. Library services can also be browsed online: see Services for MPs and MPs' staff - House of Commons Library.

The space previously occupied by the Derby Gate library will return to use in 2021, once works have been completed. The space has been reconfigured as a meeting room and open space, available to Members and Members’ staff for meetings and quiet work. This arrangement was requested by the Administration Committee in May 2020, to compensate Members for the loss of other meeting space in 1 Parliament Street – Administration Committee’s Note of discussion, 18 May 2020. Please also note that, from September 2021, space within Richmond House – including the Richmond House business lounge – will also become available to Members’ staff.