Purpose of the Commission
The Commission is responsible for the administration and services of the House of Commons, including the maintenance of the Palace of Westminster, and the rest of the Parliamentary Estate.
Once a year the Commission presents to the House for its approval the 'Estimate for House of Commons: Administration', covering spending on the administration and services of the House for the financial year. The Commission meets approximately once a month in Speaker's House.
The Commission provides the non-executive governance of the House by Members, but it does not manage day to day operations. This responsibility is delegated to the senior officials who make up the House of Commons Executive Board. The Commons Executive Board's main delegated responsibilities are delivery of the strategy as agreed by the Commission and ensuring that the terms and conditions of staff are consistent with the Commission's statutory duties. See Commons Executive Board membership for details of current members.
See photos of the current membership of the House of Commons Commission and Commons Executive Board.
The Commission is not responsible for expenditure on Members' salaries, pensions and allowances. Members' pensions are considered by the Members Estimate Committee, which has the same membership as the Commission. Salaries and allowances are considered by the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA).
Questions to the Commission
Sir Charles Walker MP answers both oral and written questions on behalf of the Commission.