HC Deb 10 December 1990 vol 182 cc656-7
32. Mr. Wallace

To ask the Lord President of the Council what consideration he has given to the recommendations of the Procedure Committee report on Select Committees; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. MacGregor

I am considering the recommendations made by the Committee and will make a statement in due course.

Mr. Wallace

It will come as no surprise to the Lord President if I draw his attention to paragraph 271 of the Select Committee report, which states that the House is entitled to look to him to try to find a solution to the non-establishment of a Select Committee on Scottish Affairs, which is in contravention of our Standing Orders. What steps has the right hon. Gentleman taken to consult the Opposition parties to try to reach a compromise and find a way of doing something that is long overdue?

Mr. MacGregor

I have been considering the matter, although, as I have told the House, I find it difficult to envisage a way forward in the current Session. I have recently had discussions with one of the Opposition parties.

Mr. Donald Thompson

Many of us will have noted from Hansard that the Lord President had to attend the House—having cancelled constituency business—on Friday, when one or two London Members dropped in to try to change the procedures of the House to enable them to work from 9 am to 5 pm so that they can see their constituents in the evening and have the weekends off. Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind the fact that many of us regard our existing hours as sensible and reasonable?

Mr. MacGregor

I have made it clear that I am prepared to examine the whole question of procedure and hours, although I am well aware of the difficulties of achieving change. My hon. Friend has made a good point.

In considering these matters, one must take into account the interests of all Members of the House from all backgrounds—in particular, the difficulties of hon. Members who represent constituencies a long way from Westminster. All those issues will have to be addressed.

Mr. Madden

What plans does the Lord President have to tackle the vexed question of the Chairmen of several Select Committees holding a range of private commercial interests which impinge directly on their Committees' activities? Will the right hon. Gentleman accept that that creates the opportunity for abuse and may give rise to conflicts of interest, and that it is a scandal which is long overdue for attention?

Mr. MacGregor

Without accepting any of what the hon. Gentleman has said, I remind him that the matter is being looked at by a particular Committee at the moment.