House of Commons Commission written question – answered at on 15 May 2024.
John Hayes
Conservative, South Holland and The Deepings
To ask the hon. Member for Broxbourne, representing the House of Commons Commission, what the cost to Parliament was of (a) events, (b) activities, (c) merchandise and (d) other associated costs relating to Pride Month 2023.
Charles Walker
Chair, Administration Committee, Chair, Administration Committee
In 2023, in support of LGBT+ people in Parliament, the House Administration approved a request from ParliOut to spend £375.00 for 50 Pride registration spaces, £439.20 for Pride T-shirts, and £62.93 for Pride flags. Any interested passholders can participate, including Members of both Houses, their staff and staff of both Houses.
Supporting members of the House Administration who wish to participate in Pride is a way the Administration demonstrates its commitment to one of its four values: inclusion.
ParliOut is the workplace equality network (WEN) for LGBT+ people in Parliament. As the networks are bicameral, their expenditure is split 70% by the House of Commons and 30% by the House of Lords.
Yes2 people think so
No2 people think not
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The House of Commons is one of the houses of parliament. Here, elected MPs (elected by the "commons", i.e. the people) debate. In modern times, nearly all power resides in this house. In the commons are 650 MPs, as well as a speaker and three deputy speakers.
The house of Lords is the upper chamber of the Houses of Parliament. It is filled with Lords (I.E. Lords, Dukes, Baron/esses, Earls, Marquis/esses, Viscounts, Count/esses, etc.) The Lords consider proposals from the EU or from the commons. They can then reject a bill, accept it, or make amendments. If a bill is rejected, the commons can send it back to the lords for re-discussion. The Lords cannot stop a bill for longer than one parliamentary session. If a bill is accepted, it is forwarded to the Queen, who will then sign it and make it law. If a bill is amended, the amended bill is sent back to the House of Commons for discussion.
The Lords are not elected; they are appointed. Lords can take a "whip", that is to say, they can choose a party to represent. Currently, most Peers are Conservative.
