Memorandum from Rt Hon Jack Straw MP,
Leader of the House of Commons (M47)
PROGRAMMING
Programming has become much less prescriptive
and is used to ensure full debate:
— The number of knives in committee
has dramatically reduced, from 69% in 2001-02 to 3% in the last
session (none in this session).
— The number of Standing Committees
finishing early has greatly increased—9% in 2001-02 to 48.5%
in 2005-06 and 69% in this session.
— The number of groups not reached
in Report Stage debates has decreased—average of 3 groups
per bill 2003-04, 2 per bill in 200506 and 1 this session.
Government works hard to make Programming consensual
and Opposition to Programming has decreased:
— The number of divisions on Programme
Motions at Second Reading has decreased from 100% in 2001-02 to
40% in 2005-06 to 35% in this session.
— The number of divisions on PSC resolutions
at Committee has decreased—44% in 2001-02, to 8% in 2005-06
(28% in this due to new procedures for oral evidence sessions).
Welfare Reform
I thank the Minister and the Labour Whip
for the amount of time that they have proposed for discussion
of the Bill. We are happy to accept it. In the current climate,
16 sittings seems a generous allocation. It reflects the seriousness
with which Ministers and the Government take the subject (David
Ruffley)
Statistics and Registration Service
There is no controversy about the programming.
I think there was amicable understanding that the Government are
proceeding in a perfectly correct way; no knives are being imposed.
I am sure that we will be able to conduct our business speedily
and amicably. (Vincent Cable)
Local Government
The conduct of the proceedings, and the way
in which both Ministers have dealt with the matters before us
have been entirely conducive to an extremely favourable atmosphere
in the Committee. We have worked hard, got things on the record
and said what we wanted to say, and have done so in the very best
of good humour. (Alistair Burt)
Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Bill
We have plenty of time to debate the issues
and I am very grateful to the usual channels for ensuring that
time to debate the issues has been made available. I do not think
that anyone can complain that we have not had that time. (Henry
Bellingham)
May 2007
6 First Extract Shifting the Balance: Unfinished
Business, HC 321-I, Session 2000-01, para 28-35.
Second Extract Independence or Control? The Government's
Reply to The Committees' First Report of Session 1999-2000 Shifting
the balance: Select Committees and the Executive, Second Report
of Session 1999-2000, HC 748, para 43-46.
Third Extract Shifting the balance, Select Committees
and the Executive, First Report of Session 1999-2000, HC 300,
para 35-54.
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