§ Sir Geoffrey HoweTo ask the hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed, representing the House of Commons Commission, what is the response of the Commission to the report by Sir Robin Ibbs on House of Commons services; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BeithOn 21 May Sir Robin Ibbs was invited by the House of Commons Commission to undertake a review of the management and decision-taking structures of the House. The report of the team led by Sir Robin was presented to the Commission on 29 October and was further considered by the Commission last week. It was published today in full as House of Commons paper 38.
The Commission is grateful to Sir Robin and his colleagues for reporting so promptly on the complex issues referred to them and for their constructive recommendations. The Commission welcomes the proposals in the report as providing a coherent framework for the evolution of the management, financial control and 448W decision-making structures of the House and the establishment of a single budget for House of Commons services under the Commission's control.
Many detailed issues remain to be resolved. The Commission expects, however, to take steps during the next few months towards implementing the proposals in the report, in co-operation with and subject to agreement with the other bodies involved.
Meanwhile, the Commission will welcome comments from Members, the staff of the House and others. These should be addressed in the first instance to the secretary of the Commission.