HL Deb 15 May 2002 vol 635 cc61-2WA
Lord Acton

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Why they aim to respond to reports of House of Commons Select Committees and the House of Lords European Union Committee within two months but only aim to respond to all other House of Lords Select Committee reports within six months. [HL4185]

Lord Williams of Mostyn

The time-scales set out in the Question reflect the agreed position between the Government and the House of Lords, as expressed in paragraph 9.35 of the Companion to the Standing Orders.

In relation to the House of Commons, the majority of committees in that House scrutinise individual departments. This facilitates speedy response since responsibility for the response rests usually with the one department. However, in their response to a Liaison Committee report in another place the Government noted, "The longer and more complex a report and the more it focuses on cross-cutting issues, the greater the need for time to consider and consult." The Government also drew attention to the fact that, "Departments may not be able, in all circumstances, to meet this [two month] deadline, particularly if a report is complex." (Cm 4737, paragraphs 31 and 32). House of Lords committees are not departmentally linked and so are intrinsically more likely to undertake complex inquiries. Accordingly, it makes sense to retain the option of a longer response time.

The Government attempt to respond to reports of the Eurpean Union Committee more quickly because the scrutiny reserve requires them to be dealt with swiftly.