Oral Answers to Questions

Fiona Mactaggart Excerpts

Thursday 29th November 2012 Commons Chamber

The Leader of the House was asked—

[Fiona Mactaggart (Slough) (Lab)]

3. When he expects to establish a House business committee.

[The Leader of the House of Commons (Mr Andrew Lansley)]

I continue to consider this matter and I look forward to further constructive discussions on the issue with the Procedure Committee and others.

[Fiona Mactaggart]

I am concerned about the timetable. Yesterday, the Prime Minister expressed regret, in an answer to the hon. Member for North West Cambridgeshire (Mr Vara), that he did not have control of the House of Commons agenda, but actually he does have control of most of the House agenda. A decision of the House was made in 2010 and the proposal was in the coalition agreement. When are we actually going to see the House business committee?

[Mr Lansley]

As I said, it is my responsibility as Leader of the House to ensure that we make progress in enabling the House to conduct its business effectively and efficiently. It is incumbent on me to ensure that any development in this area takes into account the progress that we have already made since May 2010. For example, just last week the Procedure Committee published its review of the operation of the Backbench Business Committee. That gives us important information about that progress, which has been very positive. It also enables us to consider the question of a House business committee constructively.