Draft Voting Eligibility (Prisoners) Bill (Joint Committee)

Charles Walker Excerpts

Tuesday 16th April 2013 Commons Chamber

[Ms Eagle]

I am somewhat surprised. Although I would never criticise an hon. Member, I should have thought that if the Chairman of the Procedure Committee wished to look into the way in which the Committee of Selection works, he might want to hear the evidence before putting his own views on record. However, he is his own very competent man, and he has his own views on these matters. I hope that he will also have an open mind when the Procedure Committee looks into how we might sensibly change the way in which the Committee of Selection works. I look forward to the work that it will devote to the subject.

[Mr Charles Walker (Broxbourne) (Con)]

I can reassure the hon. Lady that the Procedure Committee is very independent-minded, and that it will not be led by me.

[Ms Eagle]

I think that it may be one of the anarchist Committees that we have in the House. Given its membership, I know that it will not be led by anyone, notwithstanding the hon. Gentleman’s undoubted prowess.