HC Deb 06 April 1998 vol 310 c17
36. Mr. David Amess (Southend, West)

What representations she has received on the conclusions of the report on conduct in the Chamber of the Select Committee on Modernisation of the House of Commons (HC 600). [36292]

The President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Mrs. Ann Taylor)

A number of people, within and outside the House, have commented favourably on the report.

Mr. Amess

Although I broadly welcome the report on conduct in the Chamber—particularly its reaffirmation that the Chamber should be the bedrock of our democracy—does the right hon. Lady share my concern that dress rehearsals seem to be occurring before Question Time? That was clearly demonstrated last Monday, when I myself was invited to such a dress rehearsal for Home Office questions. Does she also share my concern that many commentators are saying that—since 1 May, in the cause of modernisation—the Chamber seems to be slowly dying, as more is now reported first outside the House than to the House?

Mrs. Taylor

When their party is in government, hon. Members on both sides of the House attempt to get information before Question Time, to make their questions more relevant. There is nothing new in that. No, I do not think that the Chamber is dying. Presence in the Chamber is an important part of hon. Members' day, but it is not the whole of their commitment—not least because we now have more Committees, probably, than ever before. Hon. Members have to balance their time between the House, Committees and their constituencies.

Mr. Peter L. Pike (Burnley)

Does my right hon. Friend believe that it would be useful for the House to debate that report, which I think—without bias, as a member of the Committee—is a good one? Does she also agree that, although the report is specifically aimed at conduct in the Chamber, many of its comments are equally important and relevant to behaviour and procedures in Committee?

Mrs. Taylor

My hon. Friend is right. He is well aware—not least because of his significant contributions to the Committee—of the wider ramifications of some of the points in the report. I am still hoping that it will be possible, between our return from the Easter recess and the Whitsun recess, to debate the Committee's more recent reports. I hope that that will be possible.