§ Mr. AllenTo ask the Leader of the House which departmental select committee chairmen he has met to discuss pre-legislation scrutiny by their committees. [126869]
§ Mr. HainI have not met any departmental select committee chairmen to discuss pre-legislative scrutiny by their committees and have no plans to do so.
I have met the Chairman of the Liaison Committee to discuss pre-legislative scrutiny, among other matters, and I hope to meet the members of the Liaison Committee in the autumn. The Government seek to facilitate pre-legislative scrutiny as far as is possible and has placed great emphasis on producing more bills in draft. However, the way in which committees perform their core duties is a matter for Parliament, not Government.
§ Mr. AllenTo ask the Leader of the House pursuant to his answer of 15 July, ref 124976, if he will list the ways in which each of the Bills was scrutinised; and if he will make a statement. [126910]
§ Mr. HainThe following information requested is as follows: nine draft bills were laid before Parliament this Session. The table indicates in each case the Committee which has undertaken, or will undertake, pre-legislative scrutiny.
From Civil servants Special advisers Press officers May 1997 6 1 — June 1997 7 1 — March 1998 8 2 — November 1999 10 2 — August 2000 11 2 1 November 2002 12 2 2 The post of Deputy Leader of the House of Commons was created in July 1999.
The Press Officers working for the Leader and Deputy Leader are employed by the Cabinet Office.
711WAll the civil servants working in the offices of the Leader and Deputy Leader have permanent status, though all except one are on loan from other Departments.