§ Sir Michael McNair-WilsonTo ask the hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed, as representing the House of Commons Commission, if he will set out, for each Department of the House and for the service of the House generally, the procedure and responsibility for the recruitment of staff; and what interviewing procedure is followed to establish(a) the physical and (b) the mental capabilities of those applying to work.
§ Mr. BeithThe provisions of the House of Commons (Administration) Act 1978 require that, as far as is consistent with the needs of the House, the conditions of service of staff are kept broadly in line with those of the Home Civil Service. Recruitment procedures therefore follow those laid down for the Civil Service, selection being on merit and on the basis of fair and open competition.
In general, administrative responsibility lies with the Establishments Office acting on the instruction of Departments. Every candidate is required to complete a confidential health and character declaration form which is only made available to an interview panel when appropriate. Every applicant is notified of the Commission's policy on employment of disabled persons and the fact that it is an equal opportunities employer.
Interview panels usually consist of three or four staff of the appropriate grades, whose chairman is responsible for reporting to the appropriate departmental head with whom resides responsibility for appointments. Each panel member is advised of the need to avoid discrimination on the grounds of sex and race when interviewing and assessing the suitability of candidates.
626WVariations to this general procedure, which accommodate the usual health and character inquiries, include the following:
(a) Clerk's Department and Library
Assistant Clerks and Assistant Library Clerks are recruited through the Civil Service Commission. The respective Departments are represented on the interview panel and the recommendation is subject to the agreement of the respective head of Department in the normal way.
(b) Serjeant's Department
Doorkeepers are recruited from men and women who have completed a period of regular service in one of Her Majesty's forces. These required qualifications were endorsed by the Select Committee on House of Commons Accommodation etc. in its report of 1954.
(c) Refreshment Department
Vacancies for industrial staff of the Refreshment Department are notified to the specialist hotel and catering branch of the jobcentre located at Denmark hill and those interested are asked to complete an application form. Suitable applicants are interviewed by the personnel administrator and other staff as appropriate in that Department.
§ Sir Michael McNair-WilsonTo ask the hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed, as representing the House of Commons Commission, how many staff have been recruited by the Commission in each of the past five years.
§ Mr. BeithThe information requested is set out in the following table, each 12-month period running from June to the following May.
Staff 1983–84 76 1984–85 141 1985–86 106 1986–87 122 1987–88 141 The figures include temporary staff and those recruited by way of the Civil Service Commission.