Question

To ask the hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross representing the House of Commons Commission, what recent discussions the Commission has had with the appropriate trades unions regarding the position of employees of the House of Commons whose duties are such that they cannot be carried out during the period of Dissolution of Parliament; and if he will make a statement.

A key element of the current three-year pay deal for pay band A–E staff is the harmonisation of arrangements for working contractual hours, including ending a number of localised variations.

Given the extent to which work in some areas is driven by the business of the House and the variability of these hours over the year, full contractual hours need not be worked in any particular week – but should be over a year. From November 2014, all line managers have been formally required to monitor the hours their staff are working, including identifying appropriate additional work in cases where this is necessary.

Whilst most work relating to the Chamber and committees will cease during the Dissolution period there will be a significant amount of suitable alternative work required in preparation for the new Parliament.

There are regular formal and informal meetings with the recognised trades unions where these matters have been discussed. For example, four formal meetings were held with the trades unions during the period October to December 2014 and further formal meetings are scheduled in January and March 2015.