Local Audit and Accountability Bill [Lords] (Instruction)

Andy Sawford Excerpts

Monday 28th October 2013 Commons Chamber

[Andy Sawford (Corby) (Lab/Co-op)]

I welcome you to your new role, Madam Deputy Speaker. This is the first time I have spoken under your chairmanship.

I refer the House to my remarks on Second Reading on the instruction issued to extend the scope of the Bill. I repeat my thanks to the Minister for the constructive dialogue we have had in recent days. We support the Government’s intentions on this matter. We will, of course, want to look at the detail and hope there will be strong consultation with many organisations and interest groups, not least the National Association of Local Councils, which made representations on parish polls. We should also spend some time referring back to the excellent debate in the other place, led by the Earl of Lytton.

On modernising practice in council chambers, in this world of blogging we support the principle. We are all concerned to ensure that it will enhance, not disrupt, democratic proceedings. I understand the point made by the hon. Member for Mid Dorset and North Poole (Annette Brooke) that it may enable the public to turn off council meetings when they choose, but I am sure we all hope that it will encourage the public to tune in and take more interest in local democracy.

Question put and agreed to.