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Written question asked by Lord Lexden (Conservative) on Monday, 13 November 2017, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Monday, 27 November 2017. It was answered by Baroness Evans of Bowes Park (Conservative) on Wednesday, 22 November 2017 on behalf of the Leader of the House of Lords.

House of Lords: Select Committee Reports

Question

To ask the Leader of the House whether she has plans to ensure that Government departments (1) abide by their undertaking to provide responses to the reports of select committees within two months of publication, and (2) reply fully to the recommendations set out in those reports.

Answer

I have recently written to Lords ministers to reiterate the importance of providing timely responses to select committee reports and I am assured that ministers are working hard to ensure the Government respond to reports within two months of their publication. However, sometimes circumstances dictate that it will not be possible to provide a response within this timeframe. Sometimes a later timeframe is agreed with the committee in question when it may be possible to give a fuller response at a later point. In such instances the relevant government department will maintain contact with the relevant select committee chairman and secretariat.

The Government values the work of the select committees of this House, and understands the importance of proper engagement with them. The House has the opportunity to consider Government responses alongside the report at the point at which it is debated and I recognise the importance of having sufficient time to consider it beforehand. This is an important way that the House holds Government to account for the quality and timeliness of the response.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL3120
Session
2017-19
Subjects
House of Lords Select Committee reports
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk