House of Commons Information Committee

House of Commons Information Committee
Name	Information Committee
Legislature	House of Commons of the United Kingdom
Established	1978
Jurisdiction	Parliament of the United Kingdom
Chairperson	Speaker
Seats	11
Meeting place	Palace of Westminster

Contents

House of Commons Information Committee is a select committee of the House of Commons of the United Kingdom established to advise on the provision, presentation and accessibility of information services and public outreach associated with the Parliament of the United Kingdom, Palace of Westminster, Westminster Hall, Commons Chamber and related parliamentary bodies. The committee interacts with the House of Lords Information Committee, Parliamentary Digital Service, Clerks of the House, Serjeant at Arms, and officials responsible for publications such as the Hansard and the UK Parliamentary Papers.

History

The committee traces roots to advisory groups formed during debates following the 1970s reforms of the House of Commons of the United Kingdom and the aftermath of enquiries such as those involving the Scarman Report and the re-evaluation of parliamentary communications after the 1975 United Kingdom general election. Early milestones include coordination with the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards and consultation linked to the refurbishment controversies at the Palace of Westminster and operations impacted by incidents like the 2005 London bombings and the 2017 Westminster attack. Over time the committee's remit expanded through interaction with inquiries from the Public Administration Committee, cross-party working groups involving members associated with the Conservative Party (UK), Labour Party (UK), Liberal Democrats (UK), and independents who engaged with reforms following reports by the Hansard Society and recommendations endorsed during debates in the House of Commons Commission.

The committee advises the House of Commons Commission on information strategy, digital services, outreach and publishing policy in areas affecting stakeholders such as the Electoral Commission, National Archives, BBC, British Library, and the Information Commissioner’s Office. Its remit covers services including the Parliamentary Archives, Public Information Office, digital platforms developed by the Parliamentary Digital Service, and printed outputs like the Votes and Proceedings and the Order Paper (House of Commons). The committee also liaises with bodies concerned with standards such as the Committee on Standards and Privileges and operational arms including the House of Commons Library and the office of the Clerk of the House of Commons.

Membership has typically comprised backbench MPs drawn from parties including the Conservative Party (UK), Labour Party (UK), Scottish National Party, Plaid Cymru, Democratic Unionist Party, and Sinn Féin (insofar as abstentionism permits), nominated by the House of Commons Commission and endorsed via processes involving figures such as the Speaker. Chairs have been contested in party balance processes akin to elections overseen by procedures similar to those used for the Public Accounts Committee and Select Committee chairs. Secretariat support has been provided by officials seconded from the Parliamentary Digital Service, the House of Commons Library, and clerking staff with previous experience in units such as the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.

The committee conducts formal evidence sessions, roundtables and inspections at locations including the Palace of Westminster, Portcullis House, and digital observatories cooperating with the National Audit Office and the Information Commissioner’s Office. Proceedings follow precedents established by select committees such as the Procedure Committee (House of Commons) and the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee, publishing transcripts and minutes in formats compatible with Hansard reporting. Witnesses have included representatives from the BBC, British Library, National Archives, technology firms engaged by the Parliamentary Digital Service, and non-governmental organizations like the Hansard Society and Transparency International.

Reports have addressed topics spanning parliamentary broadcasting reforms, digitisation of archival records linking to the National Archives, accessibility in line with guidance from the Equality and Human Rights Commission, and the modernization of the House of Commons Library. Major publications often include recommendations coordinated with those of the Public Accounts Committee, citations drawing on research from the Institute for Government, and case studies involving entities such as the BBC and British Library. Outputs are published via parliamentary channels and influence documents like the House of Commons Commission strategy papers and operational plans of the Parliamentary Digital Service.

The committee’s recommendations have influenced policy decisions affecting relations with the BBC, procurement of services from major technology providers, and the handling of records managed by the Parliamentary Archives, sometimes prompting debate in the House of Commons of the United Kingdom and scrutiny by the Public Administration Committee. Controversies have arisen over issues such as cost overruns in digital projects, clashes with editorial decisions by the BBC, tensions with the National Archives over custody of records, and disputes involving transparency groups like Transparency International and the Hansard Society. These disputes have led to follow-up inquiries and responses from entities including the House of Commons Commission, the Parliamentary Digital Service, and the offices of high-profile figures who have appeared before committees, echoing broader debates adjacent to inquiries such as those led by the Select Committee on Public Administration.

Category:Select Committees of the House of Commons of the United Kingdom