Serjeant at Arms of the British House of Commons
The Serjeant at Arms of the British House of Commons is an official responsible for the security of the House of Commons. The office dates to 1415.
The House of Lords also had a Serjeant-at-Arms (the title was often distinguished by the use of hyphens). The duties of the post were merged with those of Black Rod in 1971.[1]
In October 2011, the then-Serjeant at Arms, Jill Pay, announced that she would retire in January 2012.[2] Michael Naworynsky undertook relevant responsibilities on an "acting" basis,[3] before Lawrence Ward acquired the role in April 2012.[4]
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Duties [edit]
The duties of the Serjeant at Arms are partly ceremonial. The Serjeant at Arms carries the mace during the opening of Parliament. The Serjeant at Arms is also responsible for security during debates in the House of Commons and must escort Members out of the Chamber if ordered to by the Speaker.
Dress [edit]
The Serjeant at Arms wears traditional dress and carries a sword,[5] and is traditionally the only person allowed inside the House armed.[citation needed]
List of Serjeants at Arms [edit]
- 1982 to 1989: Sir Victor Le Fanu KCVO
- 1989 to 1995: Sir Alan Urwick KCVO, CMG
- 1995 to 1999: Sir Peter Jennings CVO
- 2000 to 2005: Sir Michael Cummins
- 2005 to 2007: Major General Peter Grant Peterkin CB, OBE
- 2008 to 2012: Jill Pay
- 2012 to present: Lawrence Ward
See also [edit]
References [edit]
- ^ House of Lords; Serjeant-at-Arms at www.parliament.uk
- ^ Groves, Jason. "First female Serjeant at Arms quits Commons just days after powerful clerk becomes her boss". Daily Mail (London).
- ^ House of Lords; Serjeant-at-Arms at www.parliament.uk
- ^ "Property stolen from Parliament revealed". BBC. 16 April 2012. Retrieved 16 April 2012. "It came as the House of Commons appointed Lawrence Ward as their new security chief. Mr Ward's appointment to Serjeant at Arms..."
- ^ Serjeant at Arms
| Officers of the House of Commons and the House of Lords | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| House of Commons | House of Lords | ||
| Speaker | John Bercow | Lord Speaker | The Baroness D'Souza |
| Leader of the House of Commons | Andrew Lansley | Leader of the House of Lords | The Lord Hill of Oareford |
| Serjeant at Arms | Lawrence Ward | Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod | Lt-Gen. David Leakey |
| Clerk of the House and Chief Executive | Sir Robert Rogers | Clerk of the Parliaments | David Beamish |
