HC Deb 28 June 1999 vol 334 cc19-20
41. Mr. David Heath (Somerton and Frome)

What assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the current procedures for early-day motions. 187241]

The Parliamentary Secretary, Privy Council Office (Mr. Paddy Tipping)

As part of the preparation for the weekly business statement I, together with the President of the Council, review recent early-day motions. I have not made a wider assessment of the effectiveness of that procedure.

Mr. Heath

I am grateful for that answer. Although many of our constituents do not entirely understand the status of early-day motions as a form of licensed parliamentary graffiti, and setting aside those hon. Members who simply want to curry favour with their local football teams, is there not a case for early-day motions that attract substantial support from hon. Members having some mechanism by which they can be debated in the Chamber, because they clearly represent a body of Back-Bench concern?

Mr. Tipping

I am not sure whether I entirely agree with that point, although I accept the need for more opportunities for Back-Bench debate. I look forward to the Westminster Hall Committee experiment in the autumn, when hon. Members will have the opportunity to press and raise local and regional issues.

Mr. John Bercow (Buckingham)

Although I share the view of the hon. Member for Somerton and Frome (Mr. Heath) that early-day motions are an important means by which to express opinion and concern about a range of issues, does the Minister agree that, at least in one area of public policy, they are used—and, I venture to suggest, have been for some years—simply because it is now 14 years and 100 days since the last Question Time was exclusively devoted to European Union matters? In view of the important fact that we have since had three EU treaties that impact on this country, will the Government seriously consider the reinstitution of that important means by which the legislature can hold the Executive to account?

Mr. Tipping

Early-day motions can be an opportunity to raise European issues. The hon. Gentleman will know, if he checks the record, that in May the European Union and Europe were mentioned on 207 occasions in the Chamber. I know that he took a passing interest in that.