§ Mr. Georgeasked the Lord President of the Council which reforms to the procedure of the House have been effected following a proposal by Her Majesty's Government since May 1979; and whether he has any further proposals in this connection.
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§ Mr. BiffenThe normal practice of the House is for any significant changes in procedure to be proposed on the basis of Government motions following previous consideration by a Select Committee on Procedure.
Since coming into office the Government have provided opportunities for conclusions to be reached, as necessary, on each of the 76 recommendations made in the first report of the Select Committee on Procedure, Session 1977–78. These included the establishment of the present Select Committee structure, and changes in procedures for dealing with delegated and European Communities legislation.
In the light of the debate on the first report of the Select Committee on Procedure (Supply), Session 1980–81, held on 15 February, the Government have undertaken to bring forward motions providing for changes in the procedures of the House for dealing with Supply. The Procedure (Finance) Committee is currently engaged in the consideration of a number of further aspects of financial procedure.