3 The way we work
27. In our last Annual Report we commented on the
innovative ways in which we had sought to conduct oversight of
our broad remit. That innovative work has continued during 2003.
Thus, for example, we have set up Sub-committees to consider
ten subjects; and we have continued to ensure that different Members
have had the opportunity to chair Sub-committees, as the Table
below shows.
Table 11: Subjects examined, number of
meetings, and chairmen of Sub-committees, 2003
Subject | Number of meetings
| Chairman |
Countryside and Rights of Way Act | 1
| Paddy Tipping MP |
Rural Payments Agency | 1 |
Paddy Tipping MP |
Badgers and Bovine TB | 2 |
Mr David Drew MP |
Delivery of Education in Rural Areas | 3
| Diana Organ MP |
Rural Broadband | 4 | Mr David Borrow MP
|
Poultry Farming in the UK | 3
| David Taylor MP |
New Covent Garden Market | 2
| Mr Michael Jack MP |
Vets and Veterinary Services | 3
| Mr Michael Jack MP |
Cetacean By-Catch | 3 | Ms Candy Atherton MP
|
Environmental Directives | 4
| Paddy Tipping MP |
28. Last year we also reported that we had chosen
to appoint a rapporteur to conduct a follow up inquiry
into the reform and future ownership of Horticulture Research
International.[34] Our
decision followed recommendations made by the Modernisation and
Liaison Committees about the use of rapporteurs.[35]
We consider that although using a rapporteur raises questions,
particularly about the demands it places on staff resources, our
experience was a successful one. We intend to make further use
of the procedure in future.
29. At the time of our last Annual Report we were
also in the process of undertaking an experiment in the use of
electronic equipment such as laptop computers and palmtops
in public evidence sessions. We successfully concluded our trial
by Easter 2003, and made a report to the Liaison Committee. It
subsequently agreed that Members and staff of all Committees should
be able to make use of electronic devices during evidence sessions.
30. We also commented on the use we had made of the
new Scrutiny Unit, set up in the Committee Office in November
2002. During 2003 the Unit provided briefing and other material
relating to our inquiries into the Rural Payments Agency,
the Delivery of Education in Rural Areas, the Departmental
Annual Report, and the Ofwat Annual Report. Staff of
the Unit also advised the Clerk of our Committee about Supplementary
Estimates produced during the year, and about Defra's proposal
to alter the way in which its Estimate is presented. We continue
to be strongly supportive of the work of the Scrutiny Unit, which
complements the work of our own staff.
Committee 'away day'
31. An innovation planned for 2004 is to hold an
'away day' at which we will review our past activities and plan
our future inquiries. We intend to hold the event in February,
hearing from observers well-placed to talk about Defra and its
associated public bodies, to . examine critically the way in which
we have worked in the past and then to plan our future programme.
The meeting will take place away from the Palace of Westminster,
but in London, in order to help us improve our plans for departmental
scrutiny.
Media coverage
32. Media coverage of our work helps to inform stakeholders,
and also adds to the impact of our reports. During 2003 we have
aimed to increase the coverage we get. A particular step we have
taken has been to issue all of our reports in advance under embargo,
allowing reporters to write pieces for publication on the day
the report is issued. We have also issued a press notice with
most of our reports, setting out the key points. As a result we
have enjoyed extensive coverage, in both the specialist and general
media. Our reports into Gangmasters and Vets and Veterinary
Services were particularly widely covered.
34 The report which followed was Horticulture Research
International, HC (2002-03) 873 Back
35
HC (2001-02) 224-I, para.34; HC (2001-02) 692, para.18 Back
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