§ 35. Julie Morgan (Cardiff, North)If he will bring forward proposals to the Select Committee on the Modernisation of the House of Commons on procedure in debates on the Floor of the House. [128482]
§ The Leader of the House of Commons (Mr. Peter Hain)Although I have no plans to do so, I am aware that the Procedure Committee is examining procedures for debates, and I await its findings with interest.
§ Julie MorganWhat plans has my right hon. Friend to discuss the introduction of a list of speakers to be published before debates in the Chamber? Does he agree that it would contribute to the enthusiasm of Members taking part in debate if they thought that they had some chance of being called?
§ Mr. HainI think, Mr. Speaker, that you may have views on this matter, and I therefore intend to tread warily. I understand my hon. Friend's concerns, and I know that the House of Lords, for example, has always had published lists. The Procedure Committee is considering the matter, and I am sure that you will make your views known in due course, Mr. Speaker.
§ Mr. Patrick McLoughlin (West Derbyshire)One of the good things to come out of the Modernisation Committee when it was led by the Leader of the House's predecessor was the publication of a parliamentary calendar. Can the right hon. Gentleman say when he will be in a position to publish next year's calendar?
§ Mr. HainI certainly intend to publish the calendar as soon as possible, once it is clear when the Queen's Speech will be and how the next Session will unfold. We shall do that as soon as possible, because I know that the calendar is useful to Members and to servants of the House.
§ Mrs. Gwyneth Dunwoody (Crewe and Nantwich)Might the Leader of the House combine several modernisation techniques so that those of us who have a nasty habit of turning up here to make speeches could in future just read them into the record from some remote spot, saving us from having to come here at all?
§ Mr. HainI would much rather hear my hon. Friend's speeches than read them in Hansard.I am sure that the whole House would agree with that.