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Oral answer to question provided on Monday, 2 July 2007 in the House of Commons, by Baroness Harman (Labour), Leader of the House of Commons.

Public Engagement (Debates)

Answer: I know that this is something that the Modernisation Committee, of which the hon. Gentleman is one of the longest-standing and most respected members, has looked into, and it has made a proposal. The previous Leader of the House said that there were many proposals in that Select Committee’s report that the Government would be likely to back, and we will, therefore, issue our response shortly.

This is an answer to the Oral question asked on Monday, 2 July 2007 by Nicholas Winterton (Conservative).

Question: While fully supporting the request made by the hon. Member for Cardiff, North (Julie Morgan) about the debating of petitions, may I say that the House would more adequately engage with the public if more Back Benchers were called to speak in important debates? Does the right hon. Lady not feel, therefore, that considerable thought should be given to reducing the time taken by Front Benchers?

Secondary information

Type: Oral answer to question
Reference: 462 c666
Session: 2006-07
Chamber / Committee: House of Commons chamber
Subjects: Debates House of Commons Parliamentary procedure Politics and government Modernisation Reform
Link: View this Oral answer to question on www.publications.parliament.uk