Oral Answers to Questions

Chris Heaton-Harris Excerpts

Thursday 5th March 2015 Commons Chamber

The Leader of the House was asked—

[Chris Heaton-Harris (Daventry) (Con)]

7. What assessment he has made of the effectiveness of Select Committees since 2010.

[The First Secretary of State and Leader of the House of Commons (Mr William Hague)]

During this Parliament, reforms have been implemented to elect Chairs of Select Committees and to allow them to make statements on the Floor of the House and in Westminster Hall. That has led to a stronger mandate for Chairs of Select Committees, increased visibility of their recommendations and therefore a corresponding increase in their effectiveness.

[Chris Heaton-Harris]

Using his 26 years of experience of this place, will the Leader of the House agree that the election of Select Committee Chairs has been a significant development in the reform of this place and in giving power back to Back Benchers? What ideas does he have to give more power to Back Benchers in the future?

[Mr Hague]

It has been a very significant reform. Indeed, it is one of the most significant reforms since the establishment in 1979 of the Select Committee system as we know it today. Both that reform in 1979 and this reform in 2010 took place under Conservative Leaders of the House of Commons. Members across the House will continue to use the increased opportunities that are now provided for greater independence for Back-Bench Members, but consideration of what procedural changes are needed for that are really now matters for the next Parliament.