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Proceeding contribution from Lord Harper (Conservative) in the House of Commons on Wednesday, 13 July 2011. It occurred during Debate on bill on Fixed-term Parliaments Bill.


Fixed-term Parliaments Bill

I am afraid that my hon. Friend is simply not right. That is not the current constitutional position. The current position is that for a period of time during which a Government have the confidence of this House, the only person who decides whether there should be a general election—assuming that we have not reached the end of the Parliament—is the Prime Minister, who seeks a Dissolution from Her Majesty the Queen. Members of Parliament, unless they vote down the Government on a vote of confidence, do not have that power. The general public certainly do not have that power.


Secondary information

Type
Proceeding contribution
Reference
531 c362 
Session
2010-12
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
Subjects
General elections Fixed-term parliaments Dissolution Parliament
Legislation
Fixed-term Parliaments Bill 2010-12
Link
View this Proceeding contribution on www.publications.parliament.uk