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Business of the House

I am delighted that the right hon. Member for Witney (Mr. Cameron) is examining a range of constitutional issues. As far as I can recall, we have never heard such a suggestion before from the Conservative party, so it is useful. Perhaps the Conservatives are recognising that they are in for a further and prolonged period of opposition, because those matters were never raised while they were in government—a point I have made directly to the right hon. and learned Member for Rushcliffe (Mr. Clarke), who has been appointed to have responsibilities in that area. My hon. Friend referred to the royal prerogative, linking it to the royal family. He will know, of course, that the royal prerogative is exercised by Ministers. Most constitutions have arrangements that allow for ministerial discretion. Indeed, most constitutions would say that those discretions are a necessary part of the process of government. Although it is important that we continue to discuss the extent of those arrangements, simply saying that it is possible to abolish the royal prerogative is a rather simplistic approach to a complicated subject.