Decisions 19 April 2004
Monday 19 April 2004 at 5pm in Speaker's House
Present:
The Speaker, in the Chair
Sir Patrick Cormack
Mr Peter Hain (for items 1 and 2)
Mr Oliver Heald
Sir Archy Kirkwood
Apologies: Sir Stuart Bell
1. Security
The Commission discussed security matters.
2. Accommodation review and press gallery accommodation
The Serjeant at Arms was present.
The Serjeant at Arms gave a presentation on the pilot projects arising from the accommodation review, and plans to improve and modernise the press gallery accommodation.
3. House of Commons supply procedures
The Director of Finance and Administration was present.
The Commission agreed that the 2004-05 Estimate should be laid on a net running cost basis; noted that it would need to exercise its power of direction to use any surplus income from 2003-04 for specific purposes; and agreed in principle to exercise its general power of direction to assert its constitutional control of the House's overall income.
4. Proposed Hansard Society exhibition: Parliament for the future
The Chairman of the Group on Information for the Public (GIP) was present.
The Commission asked to see revised proposals on the exhibition at its next meeting and agreed that the exhibition could be postponed for a fortnight if the Hansard Society wished.