HC Deb 12 March 1984 vol 56 cc15-6
32. Mr. Kenneth Carlisle

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will initiate discussions on the reform of Standing Committee procedures.

Mr. Biffen

As my hon. Friend will have noted from the Order Paper, it is proposed to set up a new Procedure Committee, which, if the motion is approved by the House, will be asked to review our Standing Committee procedures.

Mr. Carlisle

I am grateful to my right hon. Friend for that reply. Will he do all that he can to encourage the Committee to discuss the possible guillotining and timetabling of all Bills going through Parliament? As all controversial Bills are guillotined now if that is necessary to get them through, would not an agreed timetable from the outset facilitate better and more reasoned scrutiny of legislation?

Mr. Biffen

Those are highly controversial matters. I think that that is one reason why the Procedure Committee will wish to consider them in its own time and way.