Oral Answers to Questions

Henry Smith Excerpts

Thursday 22nd March 2012 Commons Chamber

[Andrew Stephenson (Pendle) (Con)]

7. What steps he is taking to improve the effectiveness of scrutiny of legislation.

[Henry Smith (Crawley) (Con)]

8. What steps he is taking to improve the effectiveness of scrutiny of legislation.

[Graham Evans (Weaver Vale) (Con)]

9. What steps he is taking to improve the effectiveness of scrutiny of legislation.

--- Later in debate ---

[Mr Heath]

Like their predecessor, the Government are committed to reviewing every Act of Parliament three to five years after it has passed. Government Departments publish Command Papers, allowing Commons Committees to decide whether or not to conduct further post-legislative scrutiny of each Act, when it is appropriate to do so. Forty-four of these memorandums have been published since this system was introduced in 2008. We welcome the work undertaken so far by Select Committees to examine such memorandums, but it is up to the Select Committees to decide whether they wish to do more.

[Henry Smith]

I am a member of the European Scrutiny Committee which receives a thick bundle of policies and proposals from the European Union each week. What measures can be taken to ensure that more of these can go before departmental Select Committees, as they cover the whole vast area of UK national policy?

[Mr Heath]

Of course I understand the hon. Gentleman’s concerns. The Government are keen to explore possible ways further to improve the effectiveness with which this House deals with European legislation. My right hon. Friend the Minister for Europe is in discussions with Select Committees and others about possible changes.