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parliamentary procedures
"How
the place works" - Parliamentary
Procedures
A guide for those who work for an MP
Latest revision: 6 June 2005
You
get a job working for an MP and suddenly you are immersed in an alien world,
where the rules are different and no one clearly explains them. This is one of
the few areas where asking a colleague might not be the best way forwards. Very
simply, only the true anoraks know their way comfortably around parliamentary
procedures but everyone else likes to think they do. You can’t really work
here for three years and then admit that you don’t know the precise wording
necessary to top and tail a Petition to the House.
So
here are some sources that may help you when feeling your way blindfolded around
the maze of parliamentary procedures. All of the specific website
addresses below are accessible for
those of you who don't have access to the parliamentary intranet.
- The Library is always the first port of call. Their main Information Point is 020 7219 3666 or e-mail the enquiry on hclibrary@parliament.uk. If you need to speak to a specialist on parliamentary procedure, telephone the Parliament & Constitution Centre on x4948. The Library website - a massive resource - is accessible via the Parliamentary Intranet. Look for the link on the Intranet home page.
- Factsheets explaining many aspects of Parliament are produced by the House of Commons Information Office (http://www.parliament.uk/directories/hcio.cfm). The Factsheets are divided into four series: Procedure, Legislation, Members/Elections and General. All titles are available for downloading in pdf format. These are produced for public consumption and so are ideal for the Rookie Staffer. You’ll find them at: http://www.parliament.uk/parliamentary_publications_and_archives/factsheets.cfm
- The
Glossary on Parliament's
education website – Explore - explains dozens of terms commonly used in both
Houses. The best link to it is: http://www.parliament.uk/glossary/glossary.cfm
So, check there if you want to peep into the Royal Robing Room, are
desperate for Dissolution, are tickled by Test Rolls or demand to know Who
goes home? While you're at it, have a look at the Explore Parliament
website which can be found at: http://www.explore.parliament.uk/
This site is maintained by the Parliamentary Education Unit and is primarily
aimed at school students.
- Business
of the House and its Committees: a short guide,
issued by the Department of the Clerk of the House is an invaluable resource
– the one I use most regularly. It is available, via the
Parliamentary Intranet only, from the home page of the Department of the
Clerk or
you can collect a hardcopy from one of the Vote Offices (020 7219 3631). It
is here that you will find the rules on how to word questions, EDMs,
petitions and prepare other matters for your employer.
- The Library's training courses in parliamentary procedure and documentation are open to Members staff. Ring x3666 for information or check out courses available at the Library's web-pages on the Parliamentary Intranet. Look for the link on the Intranet home page.
- The
BBC’s A-Z OF
PARLIAMENT list dozens of definitions on their website at:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/uk_politics/a-z_of_parliament/default.stm Keen to learn about Dilatory Motions, Retreads and Nodding Through? Not to mention I Spy Strangers, Bisque system and Unstarred Questions? Then this is the place for you!
- The Handbook of House of Commons Procedure is Vacher Dod's invaluable reference book. It takes full account of the many detailed and sometimes profound procedural and constitutional changes made since 1997. At £77, the latest edition is "expensive but worth it!" we are reliably informed. In any case, take a look at their page http://www.dodonline.co.uk
- Erskine
May: Parliamentary Practice,
a.k.a. the Parliamentary Bible, is the definitive
guide to Parliamentary Procedure.
The 23rd Edition (2004) is available for £170.00 - see: http://www.amazon.co.uk
and http://rimer.butterworths.co.uk
- The
Members' Handbook has information, aimed particularly at new MPs, on
Speaking in the Chamber and Committees. Look at the online version of
the Handbook under letter M on the Intranet Index or get hold of the new
2005 hardcopy edition.
-
If you want a readable, layman's guide to how the place works, we recommend How Parliament works by Robert Rogers & Rhodri Walters (Pearson, 5th ed, 2004. £19.99). Written by clerks in both the Commons and the Lords.
See www.pearsoned.co.uk/Bookshop/detail.asp?item=100000000013795
If you have found other sources helpful, let us know through our Feedback Form, and we'll add the information to this list.
AH/May
2004
DR/June 2005
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