Oral Answers to Questions

Lord Brennan of Canton Excerpts

Thursday 28th February 2013 Commons Chamber

The Leader of the House was asked—

[Kevin Brennan (Cardiff West) (Lab)]

3. If he will introduce a procedure to inform all hon. Members when written ministerial statements deemed to be too commercially sensitive to be listed in the Order Paper are published.

[The Deputy Leader of the House of Commons (Tom Brake)]

The hon. Gentleman will be aware that all written ministerial statements issued to the House are listed on the Order Paper.

[Kevin Brennan]

That is not quite true, is it? A few weeks ago, a written ministerial statement about the extension of the First Great Western rail franchise was not listed in the Order Paper because it was deemed to be too market sensitive. I had an exchange with the Leader of the House about that matter at business questions. Should not some sort of guidelines be brought in to ensure that, when that occurs, Departments inform Members directly as soon as that information becomes available rather than our having to learn about it through the press or through the superior knowledge of the Leader of the House?