Debate on a motion to amend standing orders relating to the House of Commons Select Committees. Agreed on divisions and on question.

Debate on a motion to amend standing orders relating to the House of Commons Select Committees. Agreed on divisions and on question.

indicated assent.

indicated assent.

indicated assent.

indicated assent.

I must apologise to you, Madam Deputy Speaker, and to the House, because my presence has been required on the Committee that is considering regulations to do with the Water Act 2003. My Whips informed me that it was a three-line Whip, and in case I had difficulty in recognising...

I must apologise to you, Madam Deputy Speaker, and to the House, because my presence has been required on the Committee that is considering regulations to do with the Water Act 2003. My Whips informed me that it was a three-line Whip, and in case I had difficulty in recognising...

I would be amazed if that were not the case. As the hon. Gentleman said there is an element of déjà vu about the debate. Looking around the Chamber, I see in attendance hon. Members who have debated the issues that lie behind the debate time and again over the...

I would be amazed if that were not the case. As the hon. Gentleman said there is an element of déjà vu about the debate. Looking around the Chamber, I see in attendance hon. Members who have debated the issues that lie behind the debate time and again over the...

I have not offered to join the Chairmen’s Panel, and I have never received an invitation, either.

I have not offered to join the Chairmen’s Panel, and I have never received an invitation, either.

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for her practical observations and her experience of dealing with these matters. She reflects exactly my admiration for those who choose to serve on the Chairmen’s Panel, particularly those who put in a considerable amount of time which, as she says, is not...

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for her practical observations and her experience of dealing with these matters. She reflects exactly my admiration for those who choose to serve on the Chairmen’s Panel, particularly those who put in a considerable amount of time which, as she says, is not...

Yes, I am always prepared to be taught by Members with superior experience. I shall try to rise to the challenge posed by the hon. Member for Somerton and Frome (Mr. Heath), who quite properly asked why amendment (a) to motion 34 suggests that"““the senior backbench member of the Chairmen’s...

Yes, I am always prepared to be taught by Members with superior experience. I shall try to rise to the challenge posed by the hon. Member for Somerton and Frome (Mr. Heath), who quite properly asked why amendment (a) to motion 34 suggests that"““the senior backbench member of the Chairmen’s...

I wish the hon. Gentleman a long time in the House. Will he give a personal undertaking that if and when there is a proposal that Members on the Opposition Front Bench should be paid an additional stipend, he will oppose it?

I wish the hon. Gentleman a long time in the House. Will he give a personal undertaking that if and when there is a proposal that Members on the Opposition Front Bench should be paid an additional stipend, he will oppose it?

I am sorry that the right hon. Gentleman has put that spin on my remarks. There was no intention on my part in any way to criticise any other Committee or the way that it operates. I was making it clear that there was a real feeling among Members on...

I am sorry that the right hon. Gentleman has put that spin on my remarks. There was no intention on my part in any way to criticise any other Committee or the way that it operates. I was making it clear that there was a real feeling among Members on...

I do not think that there is any contradiction in my remarks, and I do not think that the hon. Gentleman seriously believes that there is. The Liaison Committee has had a particular function for a number of years. I accept that that function has changed, but it is for...

I do not think that there is any contradiction in my remarks, and I do not think that the hon. Gentleman seriously believes that there is. The Liaison Committee has had a particular function for a number of years. I accept that that function has changed, but it is for...

The right hon. and learned Gentleman is quite right. What I intended to say is that the Government—

The right hon. and learned Gentleman is quite right. What I intended to say is that the Government—

The important point is that if the remit of a Select Committee is changed in any way, it becomes for all intents and purposes a new Select Committee.

The important point is that if the remit of a Select Committee is changed in any way, it becomes for all intents and purposes a new Select Committee.

Shall I give way?

Shall I give way?

May I invite the hon. Gentleman to answer a question that I put to the Leader of the House earlier, to which the Leader of the House did not respond? How do Members get on to the Chairmen’s Panel? What are the criteria for selection? Are Members ever turned down...

May I invite the hon. Gentleman to answer a question that I put to the Leader of the House earlier, to which the Leader of the House did not respond? How do Members get on to the Chairmen’s Panel? What are the criteria for selection? Are Members ever turned down...

Again, the primary purpose of the rule is to limit the duration of office to two Parliaments. I have made it clear that if someone becomes a Select Committee Chairman mid-Parliament, the remaining period of that Parliament would not count against the hon. Member in relation to the two Parliament...

Again, the primary purpose of the rule is to limit the duration of office to two Parliaments. I have made it clear that if someone becomes a Select Committee Chairman mid-Parliament, the remaining period of that Parliament would not count against the hon. Member in relation to the two Parliament...

I am grateful to the right hon. Gentleman for clarifying the history of the matter. In any event, I remain to this day implacably opposed to the payment of the Chairmen of Select Committees. I tabled a motion, which is on the Order Paper today, although it will not be...

I am grateful to the right hon. Gentleman for clarifying the history of the matter. In any event, I remain to this day implacably opposed to the payment of the Chairmen of Select Committees. I tabled a motion, which is on the Order Paper today, although it will not be...

Yet.

Yet.

Yet.

Yet.

: Some of us who are on low pay are a bit bewildered. Perhaps the Front-Bench Members can explain it to us simple souls. My understanding is that if there were a casual vacancy soon—say next year—either sadly through bereavement or promotion, the Chair’s successor would serve for this Parliament...

: Some of us who are on low pay are a bit bewildered. Perhaps the Front-Bench Members can explain it to us simple souls. My understanding is that if there were a casual vacancy soon—say next year—either sadly through bereavement or promotion, the Chair’s successor would serve for this Parliament...