Question

To ask the right hon. Member for Carshalton and Wallington, representing the House of Commons Commission, what training the Commission plans to provide for the new guides for Members' tours to ensure that the level of current expertise and knowledge is maintained.

Training for new guides will be provided through the Visitor Services Academy. The academy will be an internal accreditation programme developing the skills and expertise of guides delivering tours under the new operating model, which begins in October. The academy will deliver a structured programme of support and training using both internal and external expertise. Guides will undergo regular monitoring and assessment throughout their training to ensure that the quality of guided tours is maintained. The approach to training has been benchmarked against a number of external organisations and is consistent with that provided at comparable organisations.