Written question asked by Stephen O'Brien (Conservative) on Tuesday, 20 March 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 3 April 2001. It was answered by Baroness Beckett (Labour) on Tuesday, 3 April 2001 on behalf of the Leader of the House of Commons.

President of the Council;Leader of the House of Commons

Question: To ask the President of the Council, if she will make a statement on the effect of the use by the Government of programming for the debating of legislation in the House. (Failed OPQ)

Answer: Mr. Stephen O'Brien: To ask the President of the Council if she will make a statement on the effect of the use by the Government of programming for the debating of legislation in the House. [155220] Mrs. Beckett: As the Modernisation Committee said yesterday, programming has great potential to improve "the legislative `term of trade' to the benefit of everyone: the Government will get greater certainty for its legislative timetable; the Opposition parties and backbenchers will get greater opportunities to debate and vote on the issues of most concern to them; and the House will scrutinise legislation better and may well be able to improve it" The extent to which those benefits are achieved depends on the willingness of all parties to make programming work.

Secondary information