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 offices 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 current Serjeant at Arms, Jill Pay, announced that she would retire in January 2012.[2]

Contents

Duties

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

The Serjeant at Arms wears traditional dress and carries a sword,[3] and is traditionally the only person allowed inside the House armed.

List of Serjeants at Arms

See also

References

  1. ^ House of Lords; Serjeant-at-Arms at www.parliament.uk
  2. ^ http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2048860/First-female-Serjeant-Arms-quits-Commons-just-days-powerful-clerk-boss.html
  3. ^ Serjeant at Arms
House of Commons House of Lords
Speaker John Bercow Lord Speaker The Baroness D'Souza
Leader of the House of Commons Sir George Young, Bt. Leader of the House of Lords The Lord Strathclyde
Serjeant at Arms Jill Pay Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod Lt-Gen. David Leakey
Clerk of the House and Chief Executive Robert Rogers Clerk of the Parliaments David Beamish