New Clerk of the Parliaments
24 April 2016 (updated on 23 December 2016)
Edward Ollard succeeds Sir David Beamish as the Clerk of the Parliaments on Monday 24 April 2017, becoming the 64th holder of the office.
- Watch live on Parliament TV from 2.30
- Read the Lords Hansard transcript from three hours after the event
The Clerk of the Parliaments is the most senior official in the House of Lords. He is head of the House of Lords Administration and the chief procedural adviser.
History of the role
The role of Clerk of the Parliaments has a long history dating back to the late 13th century. The job title is thought to reflect the fact that in the Middle Ages there was sometimes quite a gap between one meeting of Parliament and another – clerks serving successive Parliaments provided an element of continuity. Today the responsibilities of the Clerk of the Parliaments relate to the administration and management of the House of Lords.
Further information
- Lords News: Clerk of the Parliaments retires
- Lords News: Clerk of the Parliaments announces retirement
- Written ministerial statement: Clerk of the Parliaments
- More on the role of Clerk of the Parliaments