Oral question asked in the House of Commons, by Lord Whitehead (Labour). It was answered on Tuesday, 28 March 2006 on behalf of the Department for Constitutional Affairs.

Power Commission

Question: One recommendation of the Power inquiry concerns how Parliament might have greater powers to initiate legislation, launch public inquiries and take action on public petitions as methods of communicating better with the public. Will my hon. Friend take the opportunity of the forthcoming Joint Committee on the powers of the House of Lords to look at those aspects of the way in which this House works?

Answer: Many of those issues will be taken into account in the debates on the reform of the House of Lords. At the end of the day, it is for the Commons to make a decision in a free vote about the composition and structure of the House of Lords. As my hon. Friend will be aware, my noble Friend the Lord Chancellor has already met the political parties, and is holding discussions with them about the way in which we can take that discussion forward.

Secondary information

Type: Oral question
Reference: 444 c671
Session: 2005-06
Oral question type: Supplementary
Chamber / Committee: House of Commons chamber
Subjects: Democracy Elections Political parties Political activities Public participation Voting behaviour Young people Politics Power Commission
Link: View this Oral question on www.publications.parliament.uk