Legal Definitions - Clerk of the House of Commons

The Clerk of the House of Commons is a senior, non-political official responsible for the administrative and procedural integrity of the UK House of Commons. This individual serves as the chief advisor on parliamentary procedure to the Speaker and all Members of Parliament.

Key responsibilities of the Clerk include:

• Maintaining the official record of all proceedings, debates, and decisions made within the House.
• Authenticating and signing official documents and orders issued by the House.
• Formally endorsing bills that have passed the House of Commons before they are sent to the House of Lords for further consideration.
• Acting as the custodian of all official records, papers, and historical documents of the House.

The Clerk is appointed for life by the Crown, ensuring their independence and continuity in upholding parliamentary traditions and rules.

Examples:

• Imagine a historian researching the legislative process behind a significant environmental law passed in the 1970s. To understand the exact amendments proposed and the voting records, the historian would likely consult the official records maintained by the Clerk of the House of Commons. The Clerk's office would be the definitive source for the House's journal entries and other procedural documents from that period, demonstrating their role in maintaining the official record and having custody of all records.

• When the House of Commons successfully passes a new piece of legislation, such as a bill to reform public education, it must then proceed to the House of Lords for their review and approval. Before it leaves the Commons, the Clerk of the House of Commons performs the crucial administrative step of formally endorsing the bill. This endorsement signifies that the bill has completed its stages in the Commons according to proper procedure, illustrating the Clerk's function in formally endorsing bills sent to the House of Lords.

• Suppose a parliamentary committee issues a formal summons for a government minister to appear and provide evidence. This summons, an official order from the House, would bear the signature of the Clerk of the House of Commons. The Clerk's signature provides the necessary authentication and legal authority to the order, ensuring it is recognized as a legitimate directive from the House. This highlights the Clerk's responsibility for authenticating and signing official documents and orders.