Question to the Leader of the House:

To ask the Leader of the House, what steps he is taking to review the role of Member of Parliaments a) in general and b) given planned changes through local government reorganisation.

The Government has no plans for a general review of the role of MPs who, as elected representatives, play an important scrutiny role at a national level. MPs are accountable to their constituents and as office holders are able to perform their role as they see appropriate.

In the Cabinet Statement on 'Rewiring the State' published in July, the Government set out its ambition to deliver growth and the benefits of local empowerment across all parts of the country, while also ensuring “that there is a clear role for Members of Parliament in local accountability, working with mayors and local councillors." The Government will provide further details on this policy in due course.