Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 12
12
The Commissions intend to put indicative resolutions based on this report to Members and Peers...
Conclusion
The Commissions intend to put indicative resolutions based on this report to Members and Peers before the summer 2022 recess. The Clerk of the House explained that formalising the Commissions’ proposal would require the Leader of the House of Commons to lay an affirmative instrument before both Houses to be debated.33 The Parliamentary Buildings (Restoration and Renewal) Act 2019 requires the Leader of the House of Lords to agree for the instrument to be laid and certain parties, including both Clerks and both Commissions, to be informed.34
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government
Not Addressed
First bullet - Indicative timeframe The Clerk of the House and the Clerk of the Parliaments commit to implement this recommendation, where it is within their powers to do so. Target implementation date: The Commissions’ timeframe for the debates in both Houses (before the summer recess) has been achieved, with the House of Commons debate tabled for 12 July 2022 and the House of Lords debate announced for 13 July 2022. The Commissions’ report sets out a timeframe for the drafting of the necessary regulations in autumn 2022. The Clerk of the House and the Clerk of the Parliaments are committed to meeting the indicative timeframe in the Commissions’ Report, set out at paragraph 73. However, the Committee will be aware that, subject to the agreement of the two Houses to the relevant motions, laying of the necessary regulations is not within the control of either the Clerk of the House or the Clerk of the Parliaments. Although officials in Parliament will be closely involved 36 in the drafting of the regulations under section 10 of the 2019 Act, the timetable for bringing forward the regulations for approval by each House is for the Government to determine. Nevertheless, the intended timeframe for the debates (to take place before the summer recess) is on track to be met, with the House of Commons debate tabled for 12 July 2022 and the House of Lords debate announced for 13 July 2022. The Clerk of the House and Clerk of the Parliaments undertake to provide any assistance required to facilitate the indicative timeframe for the regulations being met. The Clerk of the House and the Clerk of the Parliaments have made preparations to support the Commissions to take timely decisions to enable the establishment of the Client Board and Programme Board, subject to the Houses’ approval of the motions. In addition to the indicative dates given at paragraph 73 of the Commissions’ report, milestones for the various strands of transition activity will be recorded and monitored via a shared plan (The Phase 1 Plan) between Parliament and the Delivery Authority. The new governance structure, and the Programme Board in particular, will play an important role in monitoring progress against milestones. Paragraph 51 of the Commissions’ Report notes: “The Domestic Committees of the two Houses will also have an important role to play in advising the Commissions on the discharge of their new functions.” The Clerks will ensure that the domestic committees of both Houses are engaged effectively so they are in a position to provide informed advice to the Commissions.