Decisions 29 January 2007
Monday 29 January 2007 at 5pm in Speaker's House
Present:
The Speaker, in the Chair
Sir Stuart Bell
Nick Harvey
Leader of the House
Mr David Maclean
Mrs Theresa May
1. HISTORY OF PARLIAMENT TRUST: ACCOUNTS, PLAN ETC
The Commission noted the History of Parliament's Report and Financial Statement for 2005-06, the Annual Report for 2006 and its 2006/07-2009/10 Plan.
2. REPORT AND ACCOUNTS OF THE ASSOCIATION OF FORMER MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT
The Commission decided to increase the annual grant-in-aid for 2007/08 to the Association of Former Members of Parliament to £6,000; that the annual grant would remain at the same level and would not be increased in the current Parliament; and to request a further report from the Association in December 2007.
3. VISITOR RECEPTION BUILDING
The Commission took note with concern of a paper by the Serjeant at Arms and an oral report by the Director of Estates and requested a full report on the current audits of the project and closer monitoring once the audits have been reported.
4. SMOKING POLICY
Due to the amount of other business considered at this meeting, this item was deferred to the next meeting on 12 March.
5. PAY REMIT
Due to the amount of other business considered at this meeting, this item was deferred to the next meeting on 12 March.
6. ADMINISTRATION ESTIMATE 2006-07
The Commission confirmed that no Supplementary Estimate should be sought for 2006/07; agreed that receipts in respect of legal settlements arising from both the Portcullis House and Norman Shaw South projects should be returned to the Consolidated Fund; and that a revised income direction for 2006/07 should be made.
7. PARLIAMENT (JOINT DEPARTMENTS) BILL
The Commission noted the introduction of the Bill in the Lords.
8. FUTURE MEETINGS
The Commission agreed that, after its next meeting on 12 March, meetings would be held on Mondays 30 April, 21 May, 18 June and 16 July.