Parliamentary Costs Act 2006

Functions of responsible officers

1 Appointment of taxing officers

(1) The responsible officer of each House of Parliament must appoint a person to be the taxing officer of that House.

(2) The taxing officer—

(a) is to hold and vacate office according to the terms of his appointment, and

(b) must act according to any directions he receives from his responsible officer.

(3) “Responsible officer” means—

(a) in relation to the House of Commons, the Speaker, and

(b) in relation to the House of Lords, the Clerk of the Parliaments (or, in his absence, the Clerk Assistant).

2 Authorisation of representatives' charges

(1) The responsible officer of each House of Parliament may prepare a list which specifies—

(a) matters relating to proceedings of that House on private Bills and for which representatives may charge costs, and

(b) the amount of costs which they may charge for each matter.

(2) On an assessment of costs under this Act, a taxing officer may not allow costs for a matter specified under subsection (1)(a) in so far as they exceed the amount specified for that matter under subsection (1)(b).

(3) But he may allow reasonable costs for a matter which—

(a) relates to the proceedings, but

(b) is not specified under subsection (1)(a).