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Written question asked by Alex Norris (Labour) on Tuesday, 8 February 2022, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 21 February 2022 (named day). It was answered by Michael Ellis (Conservative) on Monday, 21 February 2022 on behalf of the Cabinet Office.

Dissolution

Question

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the Government plans to update the Dissolution Principles when the Dissolution and Calling of Parliament Bill passes into law.

Answer

The Dissolution Principles paper was published as a draft statement to inform debate on the principles that underpin the revived prerogative powers to dissolve one Parliament and call another. There has been careful scrutiny of these principles, including by the Joint Committee on the Fixed-term Parliaments Act, and the Government expanded on its views on the conventions on dissolution, government formation and confidence in its response to the Committee.

Through these debates, the Government considers that the Dissolution Principles document has served its purpose in supporting informed scrutiny of the non-legislative constitutional principles that apply to dissolution. Moreover, the Government has committed to updating the Cabinet Manual so that it continues to play a useful role as a guide to the operations and procedures of government and the associated conventions. This will include revisiting chapter 2 on Elections and Government formation to reflect the passage of the Dissolution and Calling of Parliament Bill.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
120895
Session
2021-22
Subjects
Dissolution
Legislation
Dissolution and Calling of Parliament Bill 2021-22
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk