§ 34. Mr. Gordon Prentice (Pendle)What plans she has to review the modus operandi of the Privy Council. [49610]
§ The President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Mrs. Ann Taylor)I have no plans to do so.
§ Mr. PrenticeThat surprises me, as the role of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council will obviously change, as it will have to determine the vires of Acts of the new Scottish Parliament. What is the point of the secrecy of the oath that is sworn by Privy Councillors, and how does such secrecy square with the Government's commitment to freedom of information? Is it not about time that we shone a light into this secret corner of the constitution?
§ Mrs. TaylorIf my hon. Friend tabled a question asking for the text of the oath, I should be happy to answer it.