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Retirement of the Clerk of the House
12 September 2023
Lead MP
Penny Mordaunt
Debate Type
General Debate
Tags
EmploymentBrexit
Other Contributors: 15
At a Glance
Penny Mordaunt raised concerns about retirement of the clerk of the house in the House of Commons. Other MPs contributed to the debate.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
Moves a motion to express gratitude towards Sir John Benger for his long and distinguished service, highlighting his role during the pandemic and mentioning specific achievements in various parliamentary roles over 37 years. Emphasises Sir John's adaptability and professionalism.
Lucy Powell
Lab Co-op
Manchester Central
Pays tribute to Sir John Benger, acknowledging his contributions during a period of extraordinary challenges including the pandemic and Brexit. Highlights improvements in welfare facilities and support for staff under his leadership.
Peter Bottomley
Con
Worthing West
Compliments Sir John's conduct and reputation, noting his ability to maintain impartiality and fairness during contentious times. Recounts historical precedents and praises the Clerk’s department for its invaluable support.
Deidre Brock
SNP
Glasgow North West
Paid tribute to Sir John Benger for his nearly four decades of service in various capacities, including his role as Clerk of the House during the covid-19 outbreak. Mentioned his establishment of the Independent Expert Panel and his work on the restoration and renewal of the parliamentary estate. Described him as a deeply intelligent man with a passionate love of football.
Patrick Grady
SNP
Glasgow North
Echoed tributes to Sir John Benger, highlighting his professionalism and courtesy during challenging times such as the 2017-19 Parliament. Noted his invaluable advice as Chief Whip for SNP.
Jacob Rees-Mogg
Con
North East Somerset
Emphasised Sir John Benger's fairness and professionalism in providing advice to Members regardless of their position or seniority. Highlighted the complexity he handled during the 2017-19 Parliament, including procedural matters like Humble Addresses. Praised his role in modernizing practices such as the introduction of the ICGS and removing wigs.
Harriet Harman
Lab
Camberwell and Peckham
Acknowledged Sir John Benger's enduring wisdom and progressive stance, protecting values while advocating for modernisation. Praised his leadership of the Clerks team and his pleasant demeanour despite being highly knowledgeable.
Bill Cash
Con
Stone
Mr Cash associates himself with tributes paid to Sir John Benger and mentions the 'paralysis Parliament' between 2017-2019. He also notes that discussing sovereignty was not allowed in 1986, but by 2020 it had become possible without adverse comments. Mr Cash pays tribute to Sir John's contribution during the pandemic and for his role in Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral arrangements.
Wendy Chamberlain
Lib Dem
North East Fife
Ms Chamberlain associates herself with tributes paid to Sir John Benger. She notes her first engagement with Sir John as a new MP in 2019 and how he assisted during the pandemic when MPs were transitioning to virtual environments. Ms Chamberlain appreciates his cultural changes made within Parliament and expresses gratitude for his sympathetic understanding.
Charles Walker
Con
Broxbourne
Mr Walker reflects on Sir John Benger's departure, noting that he was kind, thoughtful, and reflective. He appreciates Sir John's wisdom and the way in which he captured the room when speaking.
Dwyfor Meirionnydd
Ms Saville-Roberts pays tribute to Sir John Benger for his work during challenging times such as Brexit and the pandemic. She specifically mentions his role in implementing the Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme, emphasising its cultural importance.
Karen Bradley
Con
Staffordshire Moorlands
Ms Bradley speaks on behalf of the House of Commons Procedure Committee to pay tribute to Sir John Benger for his role in guiding the committee during the early stages of the pandemic. She highlights how he managed major events such as Brexit, the pandemic, and Queen Elizabeth II’s passing with aplomb.
Navendu Mishra
Lab
Stockport
I am proud to speak about Sir John Benger, a Stockport native who has dedicated nearly 37 years of service to the House and served as its Clerk. He is recognised for his intelligence, politeness, and assistance in navigating complex roles within Parliament. Mishra notes that Sir John's journey from Stockport Grammar School on scholarship to Cambridge illustrates his meritocratic achievement. He expresses regret over a cancelled visit but remains optimistic about future engagements. The MP emphasises the importance of individuals like Sir John who are crucial to parliamentary operations.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
On behalf of the DUP, Jim Shannon offers sincere thanks to Sir John Benger for his service and wishes him well in his new role at Cambridge. He acknowledges Sir John's leadership during challenging times such as Brexit and the Queen’s funeral, praising his ability to maintain order during emotionally charged moments. Shannon highlights Sir John’s effective handling of pandemic-related issues, ensuring both safety and procedural integrity.
Lindsay Hoyle
Speaker
Chorley
The Speaker conveys the House's gratitude for Sir John Benger's contributions, including his wisdom during testing times like Brexit and the pandemic. He praises Sir John’s leadership and professionalism, noting that the Clerk’s courteous advice has been invaluable to Members.
Roger Gale
Con
Herne Bay and Sandwich
Roger Gale expresses personal appreciation for Sir John Benger's work and friendship, highlighting his courtesy and wisdom. He commends Sir John for the positive impact he had on parliamentary operations throughout his tenure.
Shadow Response
Lucy Powell
Shadow Response
Pays tribute to Sir John Benger, acknowledging his contributions during a period of extraordinary challenges including the pandemic and Brexit. Highlights improvements in welfare facilities and support for staff under his leadership.
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