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Administration Committee

We have before us in this afternoon’s first debate 37 motions that relate to the reappointment of the Select Committees and related matters and to the payment of the Chairmen of Standing and Select Committees. In respect of several motions, explanatory memorandums have been made available in the Vote Office. I hope that they have been of assistance to hon. Members. I shall start with the first proposal on the creation of an Administration Committee. The motion provides for the Domestic Committees—the Accommodation and Works, Administration, Catering, Information and Broadcasting Committees—to be replaced by a new, single Administration Committee. I believe that to be a sensible modernising measure. There is a widespread view that the existing structure of the Domestic Committees has become outdated. Convergence in technology makes it no longer appropriate to have separate Broadcasting and Information Committees, for example. There have been occasions when an issue that cuts across more than one Committee has been delayed because the decisions taken by one Committee have had to wait until another Committee has met. A single Committee should allow a more efficient approach, thus ensuring better Member oversight of the services provided throughout the House.