HC Deb 21 July 1999 vol 335 cc1175-6
4. Mr. Gordon Prentice (Pendle)

What recent discussions he has had with the right hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed (Mr. Beith) concerning new policy areas suitable for discussion in the Cabinet joint consultative committee. [90873]

The Minister for the Cabinet Office (Dr. Jack Cunningham)

The review of the work of the Cabinet joint consultative committee, which I am undertaking with the right hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed (Mr. Beith), includes consideration of new policy areas for discussion.

Mr. Prentice

I do not know what to think about that answer. I expected rather more. It was announced with a fanfare last November that the remit of the new Cabinet joint consultative committee, on which our Liberal Democrat comrades also sit, would be extended. I am left wondering whether the committee is hugely significant, or whether it is not worth the candle.

Dr. Cunningham

The aims of our co-operation with our Liberal Democrat colleagues are clear and simple. The Liberal Democrats have helped us to hold a more constructive and rational debate about a very important constitutional reform programme, but just at the moment their minds appear to be on other matters.

Mr. Andrew Lansley (South Cambridgeshire)

Perhaps we might get specific about the discussions that the right hon. Gentleman mentioned. Does he recall that the hon. Member for Ross, Skye and Inverness, West (Mr. Kennedy) takes the view that one of the constitutional issues to be discussed in the Cabinet joint consultative committee should be the campaign for British entry into economic and monetary union? Does the right hon. Gentleman share the opinion that that is a constitutional issue and that it should be discussed in the committee?

Dr. Cunningham

Fortunately, although I have many responsibilities, responsibility for the statements of the hon. Member for Ross, Skye and Inverness, West (Mr. Kennedy) does not feature among them.

Mr. Lansley

If the right hon. Gentleman will not help me on new policies, perhaps he will help me on proportional representation which clearly is a matter for discussion in the joint consultative committee. In discussions with the right hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed (Mr. Beith), has the committee offered the Liberal Democrats any assurance about the timing of a referendum on proportional representation at Westminster?

Dr. Cunningham

Our discussions with the Liberal Democrats are confidential, but I hope that we may be able to help the hon. Gentleman a little more when consideration of the report is concluded.