PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Parliamentary Tours (7 March 2018)

To ask the right hon. Member for Carshalton and Wallington, representing the House of Commons Commission, if the Commission will consult all Members on the decision of the Administration Committee to alter the way in-House guided tours are delivered before that decision is implemented.

Asked by:
Ian Murray (Labour)

The decision taken on the future model for guided tours is an operational business matter and it has been taken by the executive management of both Houses. Member Committees in both Houses and the House of Commons Commission were consulted during the making of this decision and the new model for tours has been endorsed by all of these bodies.

The current contract with Blue Badge Guides to deliver commercial guided tours in Parliament ends in October 2018. Even if no changes were made to the way guided tours are delivered under procurement law the contract would need to be retendered through open competition, with no guarantees that the current provider would be successful.

The decision was made following thorough scrutiny of three options, including keeping the current system as it is. The business case in favour of the chosen option was approved because it will simplify the management of our tours operation as a whole, maintain consistent quality across all types of tours offered, create 28 new full-time and part-time jobs, end Parliament’s use of casual workers with no guaranteed hours, and also save a modest amount of taxpayers’ money.

The decision has been taken, and all efforts are now focussed on the important task of delivery of the agreed changes in 2018. Member engagement in the implementation of the new model is welcomed and Members can do so by contacting Amy Pitts, Director of Visitor and Retail Services, or John Thursfield, Guided Tours Review Project Manager.

Answered by:
Tom Brake (Liberal Democrat)
13 March 2018