Public Engagement (Debates)

Answer: This is something that my hon. Friend has raised before, and I am happy to engage in discussion, including with the Chief Whip, who, although he gave no sign of it, was listening acutely to what my hon. Friend said.

This is an answer to the Oral question asked on Monday, 2 July 2007 by Andrew Mackinlay (Labour).

Question: May I invite the Leader of the House to discuss with the Chief Whip the notice given to Back Benchers of Statutory Instrument Committees? Often, Members are given only 48 hours’ notice or less that they will serve on a Committee, which means that scrutiny is reduced to a charade. There is no earthly reason why most Government Departments could not flag up statutory instruments with two weeks’ notice so that people could volunteer who were interested in the subject and in providing scrutiny. That would be one of the great innovations of—

Secondary information

Type: Oral answer to question
Reference: 462 c666-7
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