House of Commons Commission Act 2015 Explanatory Notes

Section 1: Members of the Commission etc.

11.This section amends the House of Commons (Administration) Act 1978 to add five new members to the existing Commission of six MPs: one extra Member of Parliament and four non-Members.

12.Subsections (1) and (2) specify that the new Commission consists of seven parliamentary members, two external and two official members.

13.Subsection (4) specifies that the official members are the Clerk of the House of Commons and the Director General of the House of Commons, a new position recommended by the Governance Committee. The subsection allows the Commission to appoint other House officials if either of these posts is vacant.

14.Subsection (4) also prohibits an external member from being a Member of Parliament, peer, or member of staff of either House and requires that they are appointed by resolution of the House of Commons.

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