§ 29. Mrs. ClwydTo ask the Lord President of the Council if he will introduce a supervisory body to assess independently the efficacy of parliamentary procedures relating to the answering of questions. [30632]
§ The Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Mr. Tony Newton)I have no plans to do so. The efficacy of our procedures falls within the remit of the Procedure Committee.
§ Mrs. ClwydDoes the Minister agree with Sir Richard Scott's suggestion, made a few weeks ago in the annual Blackstone lecture, that a parliamentary watchdog is necessary to ensure that Ministers answer Members of Parliament's questions, which Sir Richard Scott still believes they are not doing on a wide range of questions, including those on arms sales? Is it not time that, if Ministers are not prepared to give answers, someone else ensures that they do?
§ Mr. NewtonI am aware that a suggestion, I think somewhat similar to that to which the hon. Lady refers, has been made in evidence to the Select Committee on Public Service, but, as someone who would count himself a parliamentarian, I would be wary of any proposal that cuts across what should be, and is, the central line of Ministers' accountability in the House.
§ Dame Elaine Kellett-BowmanI agree profoundly with my right hon. Friend. Ministers are accountable. We do not want any outsider coming in and telling them how they should behave. Is my right hon. Friend aware that some of my constituents come to Question Time, and that they all find it absolutely enthralling and go away with considerably more enthusiasm for the House of Commons?
§ Mr. NewtonI am grateful to my hon. Friend for her doughty support. I always find her contributions enthralling.
§ Mr. Campbell-SavoursDo you mean that?
§ Mr. NewtonOf course I do.