Question

To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker, further to the Written Answer by Lord Gardiner of Kimble on 25 September (HL1209), how the governance structures of the House hold the Clerk of the Parliaments and the Management Board accountable.

The Clerk of the Parliaments is accountable to the House of Lords as a whole but, in practice, this is primarily channelled through the Commission and other domestic committees. These arrangements were established by the House following the recommendations of the Leader’s Group on Governance in 2016: Governance of Domestic Committees in the House of Lords (2015–16, HL Paper 81).

The Commission provides high-level strategic and political direction to the Clerk of the Parliaments and Management Board; requires that decisions on the management of the House are taken at the appropriate governance level; and monitors the performance of the House of Lords Administration and bicameral teams that are co-funded by the Lords but not directly controlled by the Clerk of the Parliaments (such as the Parliamentary Security Department, Parliamentary Digital Service, and Strategic Estates) against agreed targets. It also scrutinises and agrees financial and corporate plans proposed by the Administration. The Clerk of the Parliaments provides updates at each Commission meeting, and meets the Chair of the Commission, the Deputy Chair, and other members, on a regular basis. The Chief Operating Officer and Clerk Assistant also attend each Commission meeting, and other members of the Management Board attend when items relevant to their responsibilities arise.

The Commission, sitting with the House of Commons Commission as the Restoration and Renewal Client Board, scrutinises work undertaken as part of the R&R programme. The Clerk of the Parliaments and Chief Operating Officer are members of the Client Board.

The Commission appoints the Audit and Risk Assurance Committee to provide advice to the Clerk of the Parliaments (as Accounting Officer) and senior management on the effectiveness of internal controls. The Committee considers internal and external audit reports covering Lords operational areas and bicameral teams that are co-funded by the Lords and management responses thereto; evaluates the adequacy of the Administration’s risk management system and assurance processes in place; and evaluates and advises on the suitability of financial practices, internal controls, and effective governance processes throughout the administration of the House. It also works with the House of Commons Administration Estimate Audit and Risk Assurance Committee to monitor areas of joint interest to both Houses. The Clerk of the Parliaments, Chief Operating Officer and Finance Director attend each meeting of the Committee, and other members of the Management Board and other senior managers attend when agenda items relevant to their responsibilities arise.

The Services Committee is appointed by the House and has delegated authority from the Commission to provide advice on strategic policy decisions on member-facing services, and oversee consequential delivery and implementation. The Committee regularly examines, amongst other things, updates on major projects being undertaken by the administration and bicameral teams. The Clerk of the Parliaments and Chief Operating Officer attend each meeting, and other members of the Management Board and other senior managers attend when agenda items relevant to their responsibilities arise.

The Finance Committee is appointed by the House and has delegated authority from the Commission to consider expenditure on services provided from the Estimate for the House of Lords; report to the Commission on the forecast outturn, Estimate and financial plan submitted by the Management Board; monitor the financial performance of the House Administration, and bicameral teams that are co-funded by the Lords; and report to the Commission on the financial implications of significant proposals. The Clerk of the Parliaments, Chief Operating Officer and Finance Director attend each meeting of the Committee, and other members of the Management Board and other senior managers attend when agenda items relevant to their responsibilities arise.

Agendas, minutes, and some papers, for all of the domestic committees referenced above, are available to members online and in the Printed Paper Office.

In common with other Accounting Officers in the public sector, the Clerk of the Parliaments may be held to account by the Public Accounts Committee in the House of Commons.