File n° 64 

From the very beginning of Parliament, M.P.s considered that for their work to be carried out in the best conditions, it should not be disturbed by material problems. They therefore appointed, amongst their own members, M.P.s specifically in charge of the administrative and financial management of their assembly. In 1803 these appointees received the name of “questeur”.

The activities of the staff responsible for assisting the representatives of the Nation were therefore divided into two poles. The first, under the authority of the President, was centred on legislative activity and the second, under the authority of the Questeurs, was organized around administrative tasks.

Two high-ranking civil servants head these two poles: the Secretary General of the National Assembly and of the Presidency and the Secretary General of the Questure.

 I. –  appointment, substitution, retirement

The Secretary General of the National Assembly and of the Presidency and the Secretary General of the Questure are appointed by the Bureau of the National Assembly. In theory they are selected from amongst civil servants of all categories but in practice, they come from the ranks of civil servants holding the position of Director General or Director. This is to ensure that they have the ability, experience and authority necessary for the carrying-out of their positions.

The two secretaries general are assisted, for the former, by a Director General of Legislative Departments and, for the latter, by a Director General of Administrative Departments. The directors general replace them if need be and have, in such a situation, authority over all the legislative and administrative departments. In addition, within the legislative departments, a Director General for European, International and Defence Affairs has authority over the European Affairs Department, the International and Defence Affairs Department and the Protocol Unit.

The secretaries general may, by right, retire at the age of sixty-five. Beyond this limit, they may retain their position up to the age of seventy upon a special annual decision by the Bureau.

II. – main remit

1. – The Secretary General of the National Assembly and of the Presidency

The Secretary General of the National Assembly and of the Presidency plays the role of adviser to the President in all matters concerning procedure. He assists the President in plenary sitting.

Outside of questions linked to the running of debates, he provides the President with assistance in all matters concerning the institutional operation of the Assembly and in particular with his relations with public authorities. He is in charge of the preparation, the holding and the follow-up to the meetings of the Bureau. The Bureau is the supreme collegial body of the Assembly and has full power in the making of rules concerning the deliberations of the Assembly and in the organization and management of all its departments.

The Secretary General of the National Assembly and of the Presidency is responsible to the President for the correct running of the twelve legislative departments: the General Secretariat of the Presidency, the Table Office, Legal Affairs, Culture and Social Questions, Economy and Scientific Assessment, Public Finance, European Affairs, International and Defence Affairs, Communication and Multimedia Information, the Library, Analytical Minutes and Verbatim Minutes.

2. – The Secretary General of the Questure

The Secretary General of the Questure assists the three Questeurs who, under the authority of the Bureau, of which they are members, have extensive powers in financial, accountancy and administrative matters within the framework of the autonomous management of the National Assembly.

To do so, he arranges the meetings of the Questure. He also, along with his departments, prepares the files which will be submitted to the Questeurs, draws up the minutes, records the decisions and ensures their implementation.

The Secretary General of the Questure is responsible to the Questeurs for the correct running of the seven administrative departments: the General Secretariat of the Questure, General Administrative Affairs, Personnel, Purchasing and Material Means, Financial Affairs and Buildings and Heritage.

The two secretaries general together head the two joint departments and the one joint unit: the Information Systems Department, the Archives and Parliamentary Historical Research Department and the Protocol Unit.