§ Mr. CoxTo ask the right hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed, as representing the House of Commons Commission, what discussions are now taking place and with whom as to possible reductions of staff manning levels in any building in which Members of Parliament or their staff have offices; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BeithFollowing the decision by the House of Commons Commission on 5 July to implement a revised complement for the office keeper and attendants' staff in the Serjeant at Arms' Department, members of the union branch committee of NUCPS and staff have been briefed on the changes. The staff inspector will review the operation of the new proposals after they have been in force for 12 months. Such a review will enable the Commission to be satisfied that the new grading levels are appropriate, that the wider use of information technology has been achieved without undue difficulty, and that the new staff complements provide a satisfactory level of service to Members and their staff.
The various staff changes will not be implemented until after the House returns in October. I understand that all 871W the office keeper and attendant staff will be informed of their new locations of work before the House rises and that training is being arranged for any new duties to be undertaken.