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House of Commons Departments
Partly updated; 13 July 2011
Added: 17 June 2009
Mission: why we are here
The House of Commons Service provides a politically impartial service to all Members of Parliament. It supports, informs and records the work of the House of Commons as an elected parliamentary Chamber. Whenever feasible it makes the House’s work and information about that work accessible to the general public, while maintaining the heritage of parliamentary buildings and documents in trust for the public and future generations. It also contributes to parliamentary democracy by sharing its knowledge with parliaments and assemblies worldwide.
Our organisation: what we do
The House of Commons is served by five House of Commons departments and one joint department, which is managed jointly with the House of Lords. The work of each department is described briefly below; more information is contained on the intranet, starting at http://intranet.parliament.uk/people-offices/.
Chamber and Committee Services:
provides secretariat, advice, procedural, reporting, security and other services that support the work of the Chamber and committees, and supports the House’s international relations.
Facilities:
provides the accommodation, logistics, catering, retail, estate and asset management, environmental management, fire safety and other facilities required by the House; and develops and maintains the infrastructure and fabric of the buildings of both Houses.
Finance:
provides finance, payroll and commercial services to the House Service.
Human Resources and Change
:supports the House Service in managing its staff capability, including recruitment, pay and conditions, learning and development, diversity, and change management.
Information Services:
informs the work of the House and its Members, and provides information and access to the public.
Parliamentary Information and Communications Technology (PICT):
provides information and communications technology services to both Houses of Parliament (joint department).
The House Service has a stewardship role in supporting and strengthening the House of Commons as an institution. It works to make the House more effective in its parliamentary functions. The stewardship role similarly applies to maintaining the fabric of the House of Commons – the buildings and heritage assets.
The House Service functions in accordance with the decisions of the House of Commons Commission, which has delegated management of the House Service to the House of Commons Management Board under the leadership of the Clerk of the House and Chief Executive. The Board is made up of the heads of the five House departments, the Director of PICT and a non-executive director.
DR/July 2011/June 2009
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