To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission what the (a) name, (b) professional and academic qualifications and (c) relevant experience are of the Chief Accounting Officer of the House. (76864)

Section 3 (2) of the House of Commons (Administration) Act 1978 gives the Commission power to appoint an Accounting Officer responsible for accounting for the sums paid out of money provided by Parliament for the service of the House of Commons. The current Accounting Officer is the Clerk of the House and Chief Executive of the House of Commons Service, Roger Sands, who has been in that position since January 2003. The details of his qualifications and career in the House of Commons Service are available in a number of reference books. In common with other Accounting Officers, he has undertaken the centrally provided training given to Accounting Officers on their appointment. He is assisted in the discharge of his Accounting Officer responsibilities by appropriately qualified and experienced staff in the Directorate of Financial Management.