Question

To ask the hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross representing the House of Commons Commission, whether members of the Management Board must seek authorisation for the contents of their remarks or lines to take during oral question and answer sessions at external speaking engagements related to their professional role.

The Clerk of the House is the line manager of the other executive members of the Management Board. As part of the House Service's policy of making the work of the House better known to the public, the Clerk encourages members of the Management Board to speak about their work, while of course observing necessary requirements of impartiality and confidentiality, and avoiding any conflicts of interest. Accordingly, within those guidelines, he has given discretion to members of the Board to accept invitations to speak as they see fit and does not require them to seek authorisation for the contents of their remarks or for lines to take.