§ 47. Mr. Winnickasked the Lord Privy Seal if he has any plans to bring forward proposals to strengthen the powers of Select Committees in relation to the summoning of witnesses who are civil servants; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BiffenI have no such plans.
§ 49. Mr. Greenwayasked the Lord Privy Seal if he will make a statement on the activities to date of the departmental Select Committees.
§ Mr. BiffenI believe that the departmental Select Committees established in 1979 have generally assisted our system of parliamentary scrutiny.