Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 39
39
We reiterated that significant developments with the Programme should be fully in the public domain...
Conclusion
We reiterated that significant developments with the Programme should be fully in the public domain and received a commitment from the Clerk of the House, that the House will always be told when there is a significant development with the Programme.106 94 HM Treasury, Managing Public Money, May 2021, Box 3.2, paragraphs 3.4.3. and 3.6.2. Available at: MPM_ Spring_21__without_annexes_040322.pdf (publishing.service.gov.uk) 95 Hansard HC, 29 January 2020, vol. 670, col 781 96 HC1100 Qq 68–69 97 HC1100 Q 107 98 HC1100 Qq 103–109 99 HC1100 Qq 98, 102, 119 100 HC1100 Qq 119–120 101 RRP0003 102 C&AG’s Report, para 2.16 103 Letter from Dr John Benger, 29 March 2022 104 HC1100 Q 41 105 C&AG’s Report, para 2.13 106 HC1100 Q 29 20 Restoration and Renewal of Parliament However, we were concerned that the House was not properly informed of the resignation of the Sponsor Body CEO. The resignation was posted on the Parliamentary intranet, but that is not sufficient for news as significant as this departure.107
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government
Not Addressed
The Clerk of the House and the Clerk of the Parliaments agree with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: the revised safety escalation protocols were implemented on 6 April 2022. A further review of their effectiveness is scheduled for October 2022 to ensure they remain fit for purpose, with annual reviews thereafter. The Clerk of the House and the Clerk of the Parliaments have recently reviewed and updated the existing safety escalation arrangements within Parliament, implementing the improved protocols on 6 April 2022. The risk-based protocols, which were developed in consultation with the Trade Unions, incorporate trigger points for escalation based on Health and Safety Executive best practice and the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013. Training has been delivered to key staff in Parliament on these arrangements to ensure they become embedded. A further review of their effectiveness is scheduled for October 2022 to ensure they remain fit for purpose, with annual reviews thereafter. Any subsequent changes will be communicated to the Commissions. For the House of Commons’ Commission, this is via the regular safety updates provided at each Commission meeting. The Clerk of the Parliaments will continue to provide the House of Lords’ Commission with oral updates on a range of issues as appropriate and will do so on safety matters where necessary. Fifth bullet – Government engagement