Extending the table in the House of Commons Chamber.

• Author: Janse, Eric

Modern technology has led to many changes in the way Parliament works. This article outlines how the introduction of computers in the Chamber led to a four foot extension to the Table that sits directly in front of the Speaker's Chair and is used by the Clerk and other Table Officers who give procedural advice to the Speaker.

The Table used by the Clerks in the Chamber (hence the term "Table Officers") has been a longstanding fixture at the House of Commons. After the fire of 1916, J.A. Pearson, the main architect of the reconstructed Centre Block, produced drawings for a new table. A model was made by the carpenters rebuilding Parliament and was submitted along with a formal recommendation to the Joint Committee on Reconstruction of Parliament Buildings. The committee gave its approval on June 23, 1920, and a tendering process ensued, eventually won by Henry Morgan & Co. of Montreal with its winning bid of $1621. For the elaborately carved base, clay models cast in plaster of Paris were provided for the manufacturer and during construction, changes were made to allow for extra ebony inlay work for an additional $125. The final product was an impressive long oak table of Gothic revival style.

For years Clerks sat at this Table, equipped with little more than pens, paper and reference books, took notes (which in turn were used to produce the official documents of the House) and provided advice to the Speaker and Members on the rules of the House.

In 1952 a sound reinforcement system was installed in the Chamber and in 1958 a simultaneous interpretation system was implemented. With the introduction of television broadcasting of the House proceedings in the late 1970's came the first appearance of "technology at the Table". Specifically, an addition was built on the top of the Table that housed microphones, speakers and interpretation devices for the Clerks. In 1992 the addition was replaced by a larger unit (nicknamed the "garage") that included two television monitors for the Clerk (one a view of the Speaker, the second the feed being broadcast to the public). Practical as it was, these additions took a heavy toll on the original table due to the holes that were drilled for wires, cables, etc.

In 1996 laptop computers were introduced to automate the production of the Time Book (a minute-by-minute recording of the proceedings of the House). With the subsequent installation of a monitor at the foot of the Speaker's Chair, new tools were...