Question to the Leader of the House:

To ask the Leader of the House, what steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to help reduce the number of Impact Assessments for Bills that were published late in the process.

Answered by Alan Campbell - Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons

The Guide to Making Legislation makes clear that, when they are required, impact assessments should be published alongside bills. Government departments are responsible for publication of any required impact assessments.

Question to the Leader of the House:

To ask the Leader of the House, what steps hon. Members can take to seek answers to Named Day parliamentary questions in instances where those questions are not answered by the day named in the question.

Answered by Alan Campbell - Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons

Parliament has a right to scrutinise Ministers, and hold the Government and public bodies to account. I expect Hon. Members to receive timely and helpful responses to their questions.

The House of Commons Procedure Committee monitors departmental performance in responding to Written Parliamentary Questions (WPQs). The Committee is currently undertaking an inquiry into WPQs to which the Government has provided written evidence (available at: https://committees.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/161782/pdf/), and their sessional reporting continues to be an effective tool to hold Departments to account.

Further to the question the Hon. Member raised with me during the Business Question on Thursday 26 March 2026, I raised the matter with the Cabinet Office and have been informed that the Hon. Member has now received a response.

Question to the Leader of the House:

To ask the Leader of the House, what steps he is taking to ensure named day Written Parliamentary Questions are answered in a timely manner.

Answered by Alan Campbell - Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons

Parliament has a right to scrutinise Ministers, and hold the Government to account. I expect Hon. Members to receive timely and helpful responses to their questions.

I have written to all Members of Cabinet and spoken with Departmental Parliamentary Clerks and Departmental Permanent Secretaries to remind departments and Ministers about the importance of providing full and helpful responses to parliamentary questions.

In addition, the House of Commons Procedure Committee monitors departmental performance in responding to Written Parliamentary Questions (WPQs). The Committee is currently undertaking an inquiry into WPQs to which the Government has provided written evidence (available at: https://committees.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/161782/pdf/), and their sessional reporting continues to be an effective tool to hold Departments to account.

Further to the question the Hon. Member raised with me at Business Questions on 26 March, I have pursued the matter with the Cabinet Office, and have been informed that the Hon. Gentleman has received the response that he sought.

I continue to encourage Hon. Members to raise any specific issues they may have with myself or my office.

We want the House of Commons to adopt rules to restrict MPs from using mobile phones and tablets during formal parliamentary proceedings. Clear guidance and appropriate sanctions should ensure compliance and maintain professional standards.

Found: with the support provided to MPs upon leaving the House of Commons and met the requests of the Leader of the House

Found: Letter from Baroness Smith of Basildon, Leader of the House of Lords to Lord Strathclyde, Chair of the

Found: Response: Letter from the Rt Hon Sir Alan Cambell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House

Found: Letter from Lord Strathclyde, Chair of the Constitution Committee to Baroness Smith of Basildon, Leader of the House

Found: Procedural changes to increase the House’s legislative capacity Note from the Leader of the House (PPC

Question

To ask The Leader of the House what plans they have to allow parliamentary time for a debate on the report on the use of copyright works in the development of AI systems and the economic impact assessment, required respectively by sections 136 and 135 of the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025, in the current parliamentary session.

Answered by Baroness Smith of Basildon - Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal

The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport and the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology wrote to all Peers on 18 March, outlining the Government's approach to the issue of AI and copyright. The report and impact assessment required under the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 were published and laid before Parliament on the same date, fulfilling the statutory requirements. There are no plans to schedule a debate in the current parliamentary session.

Question

To ask The Leader of the House what mechanisms there are, if any, to ensure that Parliament is formally notified when legislation proceeds under the urgent measures process before independent regulatory scrutiny, including by the Regulatory Policy Committee, has concluded.

Answered by Baroness Smith of Basildon - Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal

Parliament is not formally notified when legislation proceeds under the urgent measures process. However, paragraphs 6.12 and 6.13 in the Better Regulation Framework outlines the process for urgent measures. Under this process, “it is still expected that the required analysis of impacts is presented to Parliament alongside the legislation or, where that is not possible, as soon as practical thereafter”. In regards to scrutiny by the Regulatory Policy Committee this should also be published to accompany the final Impact Assessment.

Found: , the Government announced the session it heralded would last for two years [Office of the Leader of the House

Found: Lord True, shadow leader of the House of Lords, tabled amendment 13 at report stage to insert a new

Found: Letter from Baroness Smith of Basildon, Leader of the House of Lords to Lord Strathclyde, Chair of the

Found: Letter from Lord Strathclyde, Chair of the Constitution Committee to Baroness Smith of Basildon, Leader of the House