Transcript DEPARTMENT OF THE OFFICIAL REPORT

DEPARTMENT OF THE OFFICIAL
REPORT
HOUSE OF COMMONS
I wouldn’t start from here
Why the Department had to change
Vivian Widgery
July 2005
Parliaments change
Hansard – a highly regarded product, but:
• Changed working hours
• Old-fashioned working patterns and customs
• Outside firms reporting parliamentary events
• Concentration of work
THE REVIEW
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Decided on by the Editor
Announced suddenly
Decisions already taken
RESULT:
Not popular with staff
Organisation
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Committee Reporters
House Reporters
Committee Sub-Editors
Principal Assistant Editors (House Subeditors)
Deputy Editors
Editor
HOUSE OF COMMONS
Six departments
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The Clerks
The Serjeant at Arms
The Library
Finance and Administration
Official Report
Refreshment
THE PROBLEMS
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Changed working patterns
Non-sitting Fridays
Lack of management opportunities
Low-quality work
Select Committee reporting
Three-day working
New technology
THE PROCESS
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Consultants’ report and recommendations
Some discussions with staff
Setting up of working groups
Conclusions of working groups
Management team makes decisions
1 July 2005 – decisions announced
THE DECISIONS
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Report Select Committees
New grade of Reporter
PAEs to have more managerial tasks
More information recorded
Working patterns amended
Training and development
BUT
Never the end of the road.
The decisions – our concerns
The length and shape of the working week
Health and safety
Staff numbers
Promotion prospects