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Proceeding contribution from Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park (Conservative) in the House of Commons on Thursday, 3 February 2011. It occurred during Adjournment debate and Backbench debate on Parliamentary Reform.

Parliamentary Reform

I echo what the hon. Lady says about explanatory notes. More often than not, Members have no idea what they are voting on. If the first 20 MPs leaving the Lobby later on today were asked what they had just voted on, I suspect that 19 of them at best would have no idea at all. Nevertheless, the big issue is not lack of knowledge about what we are voting on, but, as my hon. Friend the Member for Clacton (Mr Carswell) has pointed out, the fact that Parliament itself absolutely fails to hold the Government to account. I hope that we will cover that issue later on in the debate.

Secondary information

Type
Proceeding contribution
Reference
522 c348WH 
Session
2010-12
Chamber / Committee
Westminster Hall
Subjects
Accountability Debates House of Commons Electronic voting Electronic equipment Private members' bills Members Parliamentary scrutiny Parliament Parliamentary session Working hours Reform Religious practice Resignations Divisions Times of sittings
Link
View this Proceeding contribution on www.publications.parliament.uk