Principal Officers and staff

The Speaker of the House of Commons chairs debates between MPs.

The Commons Deputy Speakers chair debates in the absence of the Speaker.

The Lord Speaker chairs business in the House of Lords debating chamber.

The Lord Chancellor is a Cabinet minister and a member of the House of Commons.

Find out what Government and Opposition MPs, like the Prime Minster and Leader of the Opposition, do in Parliament.

The Leader of the House of Commons organises government business in the Commons.

Whips are MPs or Lords appointed by each party to help organise their party's contribution to parliamentary business.

The Leader of the House of Lords organises government business in the Lords and offers advice on procedure.

The Clerk of the House advises the Speaker and MPs on the formal and informal rules of the House of Commons, and manages the Commons' departments and services.

The most senior official in the House of Lords with administrative and management responsibilities.

The Serjeant at Arms is responsible for security and keeping order within the Commons part of the parliamentary estate.

Black Rod is the Queen's representative on a daily basis in Parliament. He is a senior officer of the House of Lords and is responsible for security and for the organisation of ceremonial events.

Over the next year we will be running a series of interviews with people in Parliament.