Skip to main content

Proceeding contribution from David Heath (Liberal Democrat) in the House of Commons on Monday, 25 October 2010. It occurred during Debate on bill and Committee of the Whole House (HC) on Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill.


Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill

I will let the hon. Gentleman into a secret: I am not the Prime Minister. It is the Prime Minister who makes appointments. I am simply saying that I do not think we would improve the present position by putting more Ministers in the House of Lords. In the last Parliament, members of the Cabinet—Secretaries of State in charge of Departments—were in the House of Lords, and we had no way of holding them to account. That was an affront to this elected House, and I am pleased that we have put it right. Let me explain why I cannot support the new clause, although I have a degree of sympathy with the view of the hon. Member for Broxbourne (Mr Walker).


Secondary information

Type
Proceeding contribution
Reference
517 c125 
Session
2010-12
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
Subjects
Alternative vote Administration Absent voting Costs Elections General elections Local government Northern Ireland Pay Northern Ireland Assembly Members National Assembly for Wales Newspaper press Referendums Staff Ministers Peers Scotland Voting methods Wales Scottish Parliament Parliamentary private secretaries
Legislation
Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill 2010-12
House of Commons Disqualification Act 1975
Link
View this Proceeding contribution on www.publications.parliament.uk