Lindsay Hoyle

Commission statement on implementation of Cox III

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, June 25, 2020

Instead of allowing Members to judge the misdemeanours of their peers, the House voted to create an Independent Expert Panel (IEP) free of MP involvement to determine complaints of bullying or harassment against them.

Key Points: 
  • Instead of allowing Members to judge the misdemeanours of their peers, the House voted to create an Independent Expert Panel (IEP) free of MP involvement to determine complaints of bullying or harassment against them.
  • Crucially, in cases where the IEP recommends the most extreme sanctions such as suspension or expulsion of an MP the House must approve that recommendation without debate.
  • Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle, chair of the House of Commons Commission, said: This decision marks a historic shift in the way we work but also means that all three of Dame Lauras main recommendations have now been implemented.
  • Dame Lauras first recommendation to scrap the previous complaints systems was agreed almost immediately.

Speaker outlines new division system

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, June 16, 2020

Under the Speakers authority, a new division system involving the use of pass-readers has been introduced and will be used from today.

Key Points: 
  • Under the Speakers authority, a new division system involving the use of pass-readers has been introduced and will be used from today.
  • Sir Lindsay Hoyle outlined how this new system will work in a letter to MPs.
  • Overview of the revised division process:
    When a division is called, the Speaker will appoint Tellers as usual and they will take their position at the end of each division lobby behind the Speakers Chair.
  • Division records will be published on the Commons Votes app and website, but there will be a delay of at least one hour in the publication of the results.

Speaker outlines new division system

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, June 16, 2020

Under the Speakers authority, a new division system involving the use of pass-readers has been introduced and will be used from today.

Key Points: 
  • Under the Speakers authority, a new division system involving the use of pass-readers has been introduced and will be used from today.
  • Sir Lindsay Hoyle outlined how this new system will work in a letter to MPs.
  • Overview of the revised division process:
    When a division is called, the Speaker will appoint Tellers as usual and they will take their position at the end of each division lobby behind the Speakers Chair.
  • Division records will be published on the Commons Votes app and website, but there will be a delay of at least one hour in the publication of the results.

Stay home and stay safe, Speaker urges staff

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, June 10, 2020

Stay home and stay safe, Speaker urges staff

Key Points: 
  • Stay home and stay safe, Speaker urges staff
    House staff and MPs staff who can work from home should do so and resist returning to the parliamentary estate - to continue to keep themselves and their colleagues safe, the Speaker has insisted.
  • Sir Lindsay Hoyle reiterated the message after the House of Commons Commission, which he chairs, heard some confusion had been caused by recent announcements.
  • But Sir Lindsay said the message still stands.
  • Nothing has changed since lockdown - all staff who can work remotely should stay away from Parliament, he said.

Stay home and stay safe, Speaker urges staff

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, June 10, 2020

Stay home and stay safe, Speaker urges staff

Key Points: 
  • Stay home and stay safe, Speaker urges staff
    House staff and MPs staff who can work from home should do so and resist returning to the parliamentary estate - to continue to keep themselves and their colleagues safe, the Speaker has insisted.
  • Sir Lindsay Hoyle reiterated the message after the House of Commons Commission, which he chairs, heard some confusion had been caused by recent announcements.
  • But Sir Lindsay said the message still stands.
  • Nothing has changed since lockdown - all staff who can work remotely should stay away from Parliament, he said.

Voting procedures in the House of Commons

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, June 2, 2020

At present, there is no method for physical divisions sanctioned by the House, other than the tradition method via the voting lobbies.

Key Points: 
  • At present, there is no method for physical divisions sanctioned by the House, other than the tradition method via the voting lobbies.
  • Public Health England has indicated that voting using the lobbies is not acceptable under social distancing restrictions.
  • Statement from Sir Lindsay Hoyle, Speaker of the House of Commons
    Sir Lindsay Hoyle, Speaker of the House of Commons, said:
    "While we will return to fully physical proceedings in the House tomorrow they will not be the same as before.
  • Follow the @HouseofCommons on Twitter and @UKHouseofCommons on Instagram, for updates on the UK House of Commons Chamber and more.

Voting procedures in the House of Commons

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, June 2, 2020

At present, there is no method for physical divisions sanctioned by the House, other than the tradition method via the voting lobbies.

Key Points: 
  • At present, there is no method for physical divisions sanctioned by the House, other than the tradition method via the voting lobbies.
  • Public Health England has indicated that voting using the lobbies is not acceptable under social distancing restrictions.
  • Statement from Sir Lindsay Hoyle, Speaker of the House of Commons
    Sir Lindsay Hoyle, Speaker of the House of Commons, said:
    "While we will return to fully physical proceedings in the House tomorrow they will not be the same as before.
  • Follow the @HouseofCommons on Twitter and @UKHouseofCommons on Instagram, for updates on the UK House of Commons Chamber and more.

This week in the Commons: 4 May 2020

Retrieved on: 
Friday, May 8, 2020

This week in the Commons: 4 May 2020

Key Points: 
  • This week in the Commons: 4 May 2020
    This week in the House of Commons, MPs asked about PPE shortages, the relaxation of lockdown and more in PMQs.
  • The Speaker of the House of Commons, Rt Hon Sir Lindsay Hoyle MP, authorised the use of remote working, following the Procedure Committee's approval.
  • I am therefore authorising the use of this system of remote voting under paragraph (1) of the relevant temporary Order.
  • Further guidance will be made available, and I will make a further statement, before the first such division.

This week in the Commons: 4 May 2020

Retrieved on: 
Friday, May 8, 2020

This week in the Commons: 4 May 2020

Key Points: 
  • This week in the Commons: 4 May 2020
    This week in the House of Commons, MPs asked about PPE shortages, the relaxation of lockdown and more in PMQs.
  • The Speaker of the House of Commons, Rt Hon Sir Lindsay Hoyle MP, authorised the use of remote working, following the Procedure Committee's approval.
  • I am therefore authorising the use of this system of remote voting under paragraph (1) of the relevant temporary Order.
  • Further guidance will be made available, and I will make a further statement, before the first such division.

Statement by House of Commons Commission

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, April 8, 2020

Parliamentary digital, broadcasting and procedural experts are working round the clock to develop a virtual House of Commons if needed for the end of the Easter recess, the House authorities were told.

Key Points: 
  • Parliamentary digital, broadcasting and procedural experts are working round the clock to develop a virtual House of Commons if needed for the end of the Easter recess, the House authorities were told.
  • The plans would enable MPs to use videoconferencing tools to call in remotely to some parliamentary proceedings, to scrutinise Government during the Coronavirus lockdown.
  • As the Commons is scheduled to return on 21 April, the Commission discussed that preparations would need to commence the week before in order for House authorities to deliver any necessary arrangements.
  • The possibilities were raised at the first virtual House of Commons Commission meeting chaired by the Speaker, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, who praised staff for developing solutions so quickly.