Oral question asked in the House of Lords, by Lord Strathclyde (Conservative). It was answered on Thursday, 7 January 2010.

House of Lords: Secretaries of State

Question: My Lords, does the noble Baroness the Leader of the House agree with me that, whatever arrangements are made in another place to scrutinise government Ministers, Ministers in this House owe their primary responsibility to this House, and it is to this House that they should answer questions? Will she therefore join me in welcoming the new arrangements made by the Procedure Committee to give specific questions to Secretaries of State who are Members of the House of Lords, and in wishing this experiment well?

Answer: My Lords, I completely concur with the words of the noble Lord, Lord Strathclyde. It is an interesting innovation, which I look forward to. I am sure that it is going to be a great success, and it will enhance the accountability of our Secretaries of State in this House.

Secondary information

Type: Oral question
Reference: 716 c199-200
Session: 2009-10
Oral question type: Supplementary
Chamber / Committee: House of Lords chamber
Subjects: House of Lords House of Commons Parliamentary procedure Secretaries of state Oral questions
Link: View this Oral question on www.publications.parliament.uk