DEPARTMENT OF THE OFFICIAL REPORT

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DEPARTMENT OF THE OFFICIAL REPORT

• HOUSE OF COMMONS

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I wouldnt start from hereWhy the Department had
to change

• Vivian WidgeryJuly 2005

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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

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THE REVIEW

• Decided on by the Editor
• Announced suddenly
• Decisions already taken
• RESULT
• Not popular with staff

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Organisation

• Committee Reporters
• House Reporters
• Committee Sub-Editors
• Principal Assistant Editors (House Sub-editors)
• Deputy Editors
• Editor

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HOUSE OF COMMONSSix departments

• The Clerks
• The Serjeant at Arms
• The Library
• Finance and Administration
• Official Report
• Refreshment

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THE PROBLEMS

• Changed working patterns
• Non-sitting Fridays
• Lack of management opportunities
• Low-quality work
• Select Committee reporting
• Three-day working
• New technology

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THE PROCESS

• 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

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THE DECISIONS

• 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.

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The decisions our concerns

• The length and shape of the working week
• Health and safety
• Staff numbers
• Promotion prospects