asked the right hon. Member for Middlesbrough, as representing the House of Commons Commission, how many people are employed in the Palace of Westminster.

I have been asked to reply.

The number of staff employed in the six Departments of the House is 902. The Commission is not responsible for other persons employed in the Palace of Westminster.

Why has the Commission unilaterally broken off the grading review consultations that it was having with the trade unions representing its employees, especially when the consultations were in their final stages and when an appeal was being considered? Is not that deplorable, shabby treatment for the House of Commons Commission to dish out to its employees? Has the appeal system also been scrapped?

The hon. Gentleman has misunderstood the situation. Those who are involved in the discussions understand precisely what is going on. If there are any points which the hon. Gentleman wishes to draw to the attention of the Commission, he should write to me about them and I shall let him have an answer.