City of London Remembrancer

House of Commons Commission written question – answered at on 3 March 2014.

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Photo of Tom Watson Tom Watson Labour, West Bromwich East

To ask the hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross representing the House of Commons Commission, for what reasons the City of London Remembrancer is allowed access to the floor of the House; if the Commission will remove this right of access; and when the right of access for the Remembrancer was last reviewed.

Photo of John Thurso John Thurso Chair, Finance and Services Committee, Chair, Finance and Services Committee

The City of London Remembrancer has no right of access to the Floor of the House. The Remembrancer is one of some 15 Roll A Parliamentary Agents who work with the promoters of private Bills. Parliamentary Agents are entitled to observe proceedings from the Under Gallery in the Chamber, that is, the visitors' seats "under the gallery" facing the Speaker, for the purposes of their work. Other visitors may also sometimes sit in the Under Gallery.

The Commission has no plans to remove the Remembrancer's access to the Under Gallery nor that of any other Roll A Parliamentary Agent. There has been no recent review of the Remembrancer's right of access.

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