§ 33. Mr. WilsonTo ask the hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed, representing the House of Commons Commission, if he will make a statement of implementation of the Ibbs report.
§ Mr. BeithFollowing the generally supportive debate in the House on Thursday 17 January, the Commission is now proceeding with the first phase of the implementation of the proposals in Sir Robin Ibbs's report on House of Commons services. The recruitment of a new Director of Finance and Administration is now well advanced, and an appointment is likely to be made by Mr. Speaker before Easter. It is hoped that the procedures for appointing the new Director of Works—who will be responsible to the authorities of both Houses—will be completed before the Whitsun recess. The implementation of the other main proposals in the report will proceed as expeditiously as possible thereafter. The House will wish to know that the Offices Committee in the other place has also welcomed the general thrust of the Ibbs report and is taking steps to apply the recommendations where appropriate to its own administration.