§ Mr. Peter Bruinvelsasked the Lord Privy Seal how many people are currently employed in the House of Commons.
§ Mr. BiffenThe number of staff of the House employed by the House of Commons Commission is 958,500W including 173 part-time workers. There are some 952 Members' secretaries and research assistants with access to the Palace or its outbuildings, though some of these may not work full time there. A further 530 staff work in the Palace and its outbuildings for a number of associated agencies or bodies such as the Property Services Agency, the security force or the Post Office. About 273 are accounted for by the Parliamentary Press Gallery or parliamentary broadcasting. Not all those in the last two categories work exclusively in the House of Commons, however, and it is not practicable to break the totals down as between the two Houses.