House of Commons Commission decisions – 16 March 2015

Commission

1.   Security: Governance

The Commission noted progress with implementing the recommendations of the Jenkins Review of Security Governance; agreed that, for the time being, the Pass Office should remain part of the Serjeant at Arms Directorate for administrative purposes; endorsed proposals for changes to Member oversight of security matters; noted key milestones for completing implementation; and agreed to receive a further report in June.

2.   Digital Democracy Commission Report

The Commission noted with approval the actions being taken by the House Service in response to the recommendations addressed to it by the Digital Democracy Commission.

3.   Diversity and Inclusion Scheme

The Commission endorsed the findings of an independent review of the Diversity and Inclusion Scheme 2012–15 and accepted its recommendations in outline; agreed that the review should be published; and agreed that a draft diversity and inclusion scheme for the next three years should be presented to the Commission in the new parliament.

4.   Lay Members of the Committee on Standards

The Commission agreed that, subject to the Committee on Standards being content, the House should in the new parliament be invited to re-appoint the three existing lay members of the Committee on Standards for terms of two years.

5.   Delegations' Administrative Guide

The Commission agreed a revised text of the Administrative Guide for all Members of the UK Delegations to the Parliamentary Assemblies of the Council of Europe, NATO and the OSCE subject to:

• any addition to reflect political agreement on House of Lords participation in delegations;
• any changes proposed by the Lords that have no effect on the Commons; and
• minor textual emendation.

6.   Draft Corporate Business Plan 

The Commission approved the Corporate Business Plan 2015/16–2017/18 on a provisional basis, subject to endorsement by the Commission in the new parliament.

7.   Governance Committee: Implementation update

The Commission noted further progress with implementing the recommendations of the House Governance Committee; noted that the House Committee had agreed to the Commission’s proposal of a first joint meeting in October; agreed interim arrangements pending appointment of its external members; and, agreed the text of a written statement to be made on 17 March.

The Commission agreed that current edition of Erskine May should be made available on the parliamentary intranet and that options for online publication of future editions at limited cost should be explored further.

MEC

8.   Financial assistance to opposition parties

The Committee provided advice to the interim Accounting Officer.

9.   Concordance of resolutions 

The Committee agreed the text of a revised "Concordance" of resolutions relating to expenditure charged to the Members Estimate. (Formal minutes will be published in the report.)

MEC/Commission

10.  Any other business

None

11. Date of next meeting

To be agreed