Oral question asked in the House of Commons, by Baroness May of Maidenhead (Conservative). It was answered on Monday, 2 July 2007 on behalf of the Leader of the House of Commons.

Public Engagement (Debates)

Question: May I also welcome the right hon. and learned Lady to her new position? I am sure that, like me, she will find it an enjoyable and satisfying role, and I look forward to working with her to protect the interests of the House and of all hon. Members. It is, of course, important for our democracy that the public find debates in Parliament more engaging, but does the right hon. and learned Lady agree that the public will be more engaged with parliamentary debate if they think that they can trust politicians? For example, during the Labour deputy leadership campaign, the new part-time Leader of the House said ““I agree”” that the Government should apologise for the Iraq war. Now she says:"““I’ve never said the government should apologise””" over the Iraq war. Does she agree that examples such as that merely increase public cynicism and disengage people from Parliament?

Answer: If the right hon. Lady has something that has me quoted as saying that, she can send it to me. It is a pity, when we need to work closely together in the interests of the House, which is important for both sides and for democracy, that she should make that point. I would welcome her sending me any quote that said that. None the less, I look forward to working with her and with Opposition Members to make sure that the House works better. We need strong government, but strong government works better when it is held to account by a strong Parliament, and that is what I aim to achieve.

Secondary information

Type: Oral question
Reference: 462 c667
Session: 2006-07
Oral question type: Supplementary
Chamber / Committee: House of Commons chamber
Subjects: House of Commons Politics and government Modernisation Reform Debates Parliamentary procedure
Link: View this Oral question on www.publications.parliament.uk