Clerk of the Parliaments
Encyclopedia
The Clerk of the Parliaments is the chief clerk of the House of Lords
in the Parliament of the United Kingdom
. The position has existed since at least 1315, and duties include preparing the minutes of Lords proceedings, advising on proper parliamentary procedure and pronouncing the Royal Assent
. Many of the Clerk's duties are now fulfilled by his deputies and the Clerk of the Parliaments' Office.
The Under Clerk of the Parliaments is the formal name for the Clerk of the House of Commons
.
The term Clerk of the Parliaments is also used as a formal alternative title by the Clerk of the Senate of Canada and the Clerks of the Legislative Councils of New South Wales
and Western Australia
. In the Australian state of Victoria the title is given to the longer-serving of the Clerks of the Legislative Council
and Legislative Assembly
. The title was also formerly used for the Clerk of the Australian Senate
and the longer-serving of the Clerks of the Legislative Council
and Legislative Assembly
of South Australia.
at Lincoln make reference to a clerk nominated by the king to serve as a "special deputy". This clerk was tasked with reading out the titles of bills and the responses from Parliament. In later Parliaments starting with those under Richard II
, the Clerk of the Crown in Chancery
would read the titles, and the Clerk of the Parliaments the responses. The actual term "Clerk of the Parliaments" did not come into use until the reign of Henry VIII
, and the plural (Parliaments, rather than Parliament) signifies that it is a life appointment - the Clerk is appointed for all Parliaments, not just the one currently sitting. On 12 March 1660 a deputy clerk was appointed for the first time after the Clerk (Mr Bowyer) was too ill to attend Parliament. The Clerk of the Parliaments Act 1824
defined the Clerk's duties for the first time in statute, and the Act is still in force and binding on current clerks.
from the sovereign , who also holds the sole power to remove him or her. The Clerk has a variety of tasks within the House of Lords
. Appointees were originally ecclesiastical figures, although the nineteenth century saw a shift towards members of the legal profession. He is assisted by two other clerks - the reading clerk, and the clerk assistant.
As well as providing advice on procedure, the Clerk also prepares the minutes of proceedings in the Lords, signs all official documents and communications, returns bills to the House of Commons and pronounces the Royal Assent
. The Clerk also supervises several offices, including his own (the Clerk of the Parliaments' Office), the Black Rod
's Department, which deals with security in the Lords, the Committee Office, which gives legal and procedural advice to committees within the Lords and the Judicial Office, which advises and assists the Law Lords. Since the nineteenth century many of these duties have been performed by his deputies and his own office.
House of Lords
The House of Lords is the upper house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Like the House of Commons, it meets in the Palace of Westminster....
in the Parliament of the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. The position has existed since at least 1315, and duties include preparing the minutes of Lords proceedings, advising on proper parliamentary procedure and pronouncing the Royal Assent
Royal Assent
The granting of royal assent refers to the method by which any constitutional monarch formally approves and promulgates an act of his or her nation's parliament, thus making it a law...
. Many of the Clerk's duties are now fulfilled by his deputies and the Clerk of the Parliaments' Office.
The Under Clerk of the Parliaments is the formal name for the Clerk of the House of Commons
Clerk of the House of Commons
The Clerk of the House of Commons is the chief executive of the House of Commons in the Parliament of the United Kingdom, and before 1707 of the House of Commons of England...
.
The term Clerk of the Parliaments is also used as a formal alternative title by the Clerk of the Senate of Canada and the Clerks of the Legislative Councils of New South Wales
New South Wales Legislative Council
The New South Wales Legislative Council, or upper house, is one of the two chambers of the parliament of New South Wales in Australia. The other is the Legislative Assembly. Both sit at Parliament House in the state capital, Sydney. The Assembly is referred to as the lower house and the Council as...
and Western Australia
Western Australian Legislative Council
The Legislative Council, or upper house, is one of the two chambers of parliament in the Australian state of Western Australia. Its central purpose is to act as a house of review for legislation passed through the lower house, the Legislative Assembly. It sits in Parliament House in the state...
. In the Australian state of Victoria the title is given to the longer-serving of the Clerks of the Legislative Council
Victorian Legislative Council
The Victorian Legislative Council, is the upper of the two houses of the Parliament of Victoria, Australia; the lower house being the Legislative Assembly. Both houses sit in Parliament House in Spring Street, Melbourne. The Legislative Council serves as a house of review, in a similar fashion to...
and Legislative Assembly
Victorian Legislative Assembly
The Victorian Legislative Assembly is the lower house of the Parliament of Victoria in Australia. Together with the Victorian Legislative Council, the upper house, it sits in Parliament House in the state capital, Melbourne.-History:...
. The title was also formerly used for the Clerk of the Australian Senate
Australian Senate
The Senate is the upper house of the bicameral Parliament of Australia, the lower house being the House of Representatives. Senators are popularly elected under a system of proportional representation. Senators are elected for a term that is usually six years; after a double dissolution, however,...
and the longer-serving of the Clerks of the Legislative Council
South Australian Legislative Council
The Legislative Council, or upper house, is one of the two chambers of the Parliament of South Australia. Its central purpose is to act as a house of review for legislation passed through the lower house, the House of Assembly...
and Legislative Assembly
South Australian Legislative Council
The Legislative Council, or upper house, is one of the two chambers of the Parliament of South Australia. Its central purpose is to act as a house of review for legislation passed through the lower house, the House of Assembly...
of South Australia.
History
The position has existed since at least 1315, when records from the Parliament held by Edward IIEdward II of England
Edward II , called Edward of Caernarfon, was King of England from 1307 until he was deposed by his wife Isabella in January 1327. He was the sixth Plantagenet king, in a line that began with the reign of Henry II...
at Lincoln make reference to a clerk nominated by the king to serve as a "special deputy". This clerk was tasked with reading out the titles of bills and the responses from Parliament. In later Parliaments starting with those under Richard II
Richard II of England
Richard II was King of England, a member of the House of Plantagenet and the last of its main-line kings. He ruled from 1377 until he was deposed in 1399. Richard was a son of Edward, the Black Prince, and was born during the reign of his grandfather, Edward III...
, the Clerk of the Crown in Chancery
Clerk of the Crown in Chancery
In the Government of the United Kingdom, the Clerk of the Crown in Chancery is a senior civil servant who is the head of the Crown Office. The Crown Office, a section of the Ministry of Justice, has custody of the Great Seal of the Realm, and has certain administrative functions in connection with...
would read the titles, and the Clerk of the Parliaments the responses. The actual term "Clerk of the Parliaments" did not come into use until the reign of Henry VIII
Henry VIII of England
Henry VIII was King of England from 21 April 1509 until his death. He was Lord, and later King, of Ireland, as well as continuing the nominal claim by the English monarchs to the Kingdom of France...
, and the plural (Parliaments, rather than Parliament) signifies that it is a life appointment - the Clerk is appointed for all Parliaments, not just the one currently sitting. On 12 March 1660 a deputy clerk was appointed for the first time after the Clerk (Mr Bowyer) was too ill to attend Parliament. The Clerk of the Parliaments Act 1824
Clerk of the Parliaments Act 1824
The Clerk of the Parliaments Act 1824 is an Act of Parliament of the United Kingdom that covers the appointment of the Clerk of the Parliaments and his deputies....
defined the Clerk's duties for the first time in statute, and the Act is still in force and binding on current clerks.
Appointment and duties
The Clerk of the Parliaments is appointed by letters patentLetters patent
Letters patent are a type of legal instrument in the form of a published written order issued by a monarch or president, generally granting an office, right, monopoly, title, or status to a person or corporation...
from the sovereign , who also holds the sole power to remove him or her. The Clerk has a variety of tasks within the House of Lords
House of Lords
The House of Lords is the upper house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Like the House of Commons, it meets in the Palace of Westminster....
. Appointees were originally ecclesiastical figures, although the nineteenth century saw a shift towards members of the legal profession. He is assisted by two other clerks - the reading clerk, and the clerk assistant.
As well as providing advice on procedure, the Clerk also prepares the minutes of proceedings in the Lords, signs all official documents and communications, returns bills to the House of Commons and pronounces the Royal Assent
Royal Assent
The granting of royal assent refers to the method by which any constitutional monarch formally approves and promulgates an act of his or her nation's parliament, thus making it a law...
. The Clerk also supervises several offices, including his own (the Clerk of the Parliaments' Office), the Black Rod
Black Rod
The Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod, generally shortened to just Black Rod, is an official in the parliaments of several Commonwealth countries. The position originates in the House of Lords of the Parliament of the United Kingdom...
's Department, which deals with security in the Lords, the Committee Office, which gives legal and procedural advice to committees within the Lords and the Judicial Office, which advises and assists the Law Lords. Since the nineteenth century many of these duties have been performed by his deputies and his own office.
Office holders
| Term | Name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ?1280-1290 | John Kirkby | |
| 1290-1314 | Gilbert of Rothbury | |
| 1315 | Robert of Ashby | |
| 1316- | William of Airmyn | |
| c1327-post 1334 | Henry of Edenstowe | |
| c1340-1346 | Thomas of Brayton | |
| in office 1351 & 1352 | John of Coddington | |
| in office 1377 | Geoffrey Martin | |
| in office 1377 | Edmund Brudenell | |
| ?1372-1386 | Richard de Ravenser | |
| ?c1381 | John de Waltham | |
| ante 1384-1394 | John de Scarle John Scarle John Scarle was keeper of the rolls of Chancery from 1394 to 1397 and Archdeacon of Lincoln before being named Lord Chancellor of England in 1399. He held that office until 9 March 1401.-References:... |
|
| 1394-1414 | John Rome | |
| 1414-1423 | John Frank | |
| 1424-1436 | William Prestwyke | |
| 1437-1438 | John Bate | |
| 1438-1447 | Thomas Kirkby | |
| 1447-1470 | John Fawkes | |
| 1470-1471 | Baldwin Hyde | |
| 1471-1483 | John Gunthorpe John Gunthorpe -Education and career:He was a student at Cambridge University and he had already entered into clergyship and had received holy orders. By private appointment Gunthorpe served as a secretary to Queen Elizabeth I. By 1452 he was the master of the arts at Cambridge University and served as a junior... |
|
| 1483-1485 | Thomas Hutton | |
| 1485-1496 | John Morgan | |
| 1496-1509 | Richard Hatton | |
| 1509-1523 | John Taylor | |
| 1523-1531 | Brian Tuke Brian Tuke Sir Brian Tuke , was the secretary of Henry VIII and Cardinal Wolsey. He became treasurer of the household.-Life:He may have been son of Richard Tuke and Agnes his wife, daughter of John Bland of Nottinghamshire... |
|
| 1531-1540 | Edward North Edward North, 1st Baron North Edward North, 1st Baron North was an English peer and politician. He was the Lord Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire 1559–1564 and Clerk of the Parliaments... |
|
| 1540-1541 | Thomas Soulemont | |
| 1541-1543 | William Paget William Paget, 1st Baron Paget William Paget, 1st Baron Paget of Beaudesert , was an English statesman and accountant who held prominent positions in the service of Henry VIII, Edward VI and Mary I.-Early life:... |
|
| NA | Thomas Knight | |
| 1550-1551 | John Mason | |
| 1574-NA | Francis Spelman | |
| 1574-1597 | Anthony Mason | |
| 1597-1609 | Thomas Smith | Knighted 1603 |
| 1609-1621 | Robert Bowyer | |
| 1621-1635 | Henry Elsynge | |
| 1635-1637 | Thomas Knyvett | |
| 1637-1638 | Daniel Bedingfield | |
| 1638-1644 | John Browne | |
| 1644 | Edward Norgate | |
| 1649-1660 | Henry Scobell Henry Scobell Henry Scobell was an English Parliamentary official, and editor of official publications. He was clerk to the Long Parliament, and wrote on parliamentary procedure and precedents.-Life:... |
|
| 1660-1691 | John Browne | |
| 1691-1716 | Matthew Johnson | |
| 1716-1740 | William Cowper | |
| 1740-1788 | Ashley Cowper | |
| 1788-1818 | George Rose George Rose The Right Honourable George Rose was a British politician.Born at Woodside near Brechin, Scotland, Rose was the son of the Reverend David Rose of Lethnot, by Margaret, daughter of Donald Rose of Wester Clune... |
|
| 1818-1855 | George Henry Rose George Henry Rose Sir George Henry Rose GCH PC was the eldest son of George Rose. He was Member of Parliament for Southampton from 1794–1813 and for Christchurch from 1818–32 and 1837–44, Clerk of the Parliaments from 1818–55 and sometime Envoy Extraordinary to Munich and Berlin, and to the... |
|
| 1855-1875 | John Shaw-Lefevre | |
| 1875-1885 | William Rose William Rose William Rose may refer to:*William Rose , England international footballer*William Cumming Rose , American nutritionist*William Rose , American screenwriter... |
|
| 1885-1917 | Henry Graham | |
| 1917-1930 | Arthur Thring | |
| 1930-1934 | Edward Alderson | |
| 1934-1949 | Henry Badeley Henry Badeley, 1st Baron Badeley Henry John Fanshawe Badeley, 1st Baron Badeley KCB, CBE , known as Sir Henry Badeley between 1935 and 1949, was a British civil servant and engraver... |
|
| 1949-1953 | Robert Overbury | |
| 1953-1959 | Francis Lascelles Francis William Lascelles Sir Francis William Lascelles KCB MC was a British public servant and Clerk of the Parliaments from 1953 to 1958.He was educated at Winchester College and Christ Church, Oxford.... |
|
| 1959-1963 | Victor Goodman | |
| 1963-1974 | David Stephens Sir David Stephens Sir David Stephens KCB CVO was a British public servant and Clerk of the Parliaments from 1963 to 1974.He was educated at Winchester College, Christ Church, Oxford and The Queen's College, Oxford.... |
|
| 1974-1983 | Peter Henderson Peter Henderson, Baron Henderson of Brompton Peter Gordon Henderson, Baron Henderson of Brompton KCB was a British public servant who served as Clerk of the Parliaments from 1974 to 1983. he was created a life peer as Baron Henderson of Brompton in 1984.... |
|
| 1983-1990 | John Sainty | |
| 1991-1997 | Michael Wheeler-Booth Michael Wheeler-Booth Sir Michael Addison John Wheeler-Booth KCB is a British public servant and former Clerk of the Parliaments.He was educated at Leighton Park School, Reading, and Magdalen College, Oxford.... |
|
| 1997-13 July 2003 | Michael Davies Michael Davies (Clerk of the Parliaments) Sir John Michael Davies, KCB is the former Clerk of the Parliaments of the United Kingdom. He succeeded Sir Michael Wheeler-Booth on 4 January 1997 and retired on 14 July 2003 succeeded by Paul Hayter... |
|
| 14 July 2003-3 November 2007 | Paul Hayter | |
| 4 November 2007-15 April 2011 | Michael Pownall Michael Pownall Sir Michael Graham Pownall KCB is a British public servant and from 2007 to 2011 was Clerk of the Parliaments in the House of Lords of the United Kingdom. He retired on 15 April 2011.-Career:... |
|
| 16 April 2011-present | David Beamish David Beamish David Richard Beamish is a British public servant who has been the Clerk of the Parliaments, the chief clerk in the House of Lords, since 16 April 2011.-Career:... |