Our approach in a new Parliament
8. At our first meeting of the new Parliament, we
decided that we would continue the practice of our predecessors
in the last two Parliaments of holding hearings with new or prospective
members of the MPC. We also decided to hold hearings with members
re-appointed to the MPC wherever practicable. We
share the view of the Treasury Committee in the last two Parliaments
that hearings with appointees to the MPC and subsequent reports
on those hearings represent an important mechanism for securing
greater transparency for the processes of appointment to the MPC.
Such hearings and reports also represent one means—although
not the only means—by which this Committee can fulfil its
duty to secure proper accountability for the work of the MPC.
9. We intend to adopt the same methodology as previous
Committees. In particular, we will seek answers to preliminary
questionnaires from appointees and will restrict questioning to
matters which bear upon the twin criteria of professional competence
and personal independence. We may also examine the appointment
process more generally in the course of this Parliament.
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