HC Deb 25 January 2000 vol 343 c147
48. Mr. Phil Sawford (Kettering)

What assessment she has made of the impact of her Department's proposals for changing practice and procedure in the House; and if she will make a statement. [104978]

The President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Mrs. Margaret Beckett)

I believe that proposals for change in the House have been well received and are generally positive, but they are being kept under review through the Modernisation Committee.

Mr. Sawford

I thank my right hon. Friend for that answer. I especially welcome the Modernisation Committee's decision to publish more Bills in draft form, which allows more interested parties and concerned groups to contribute to debate, both in the House and outside it. It also allows more pressure groups and constituents to put forward their views on the Government's legislative proposals. Does my right hon. Friend agree that publishing draft Bills has led to better informed debate, in Parliament and across the country?

Mrs. Beckett

I entirely agree. My hon. Friend and all hon. Members will know from their Standing Committee experience over the years that outside organisations—which often have useful information, or a different point of view or slant on legislation—frequently only realise the effect that proposals might have on them when the closing stages of legislative debate are under way. Sometimes that realisation only comes when a Bill has already passed on to the statute book. That cannot be good for good governance or for the balance of good legislation. Anything that improves the situation can only be welcome.