§ Mr. AllenTo ask the Lord President of the Council how long elapsed in 1983 and 1987 between the general election and the setting up of the Select Committees; and what action he is proposing to ensure the speedy creation of Select Committees after the next election.
§ Sir Geoffrey HoweThe 1983 general election took place on 9 June 1983; the departmentally related Select Committees were nominated on 14 December 1983. The 1987 general election took place on 11 June 1987; the Treasury and Civil Service Select Committee was nominated on 24 November 1987; the other departmentally related Select Committees were nominated on 2 December 1987. I understand that this is one matter which the Procedure Committee may look into.
§ Mr. AllenTo ask the Lord President of the Council how many reports have been produced by Departmental Select Committees since 1979; and how many have been the subject of debate on a substantitive motion on the Floor of the House.
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§ Sir Geoffrey HoweSince 1979, 543 reports and 213 special reports have been published by departmentally related Select Committees. Seven have been debated in the House on substantive motions.