Memorandum from Rt Hon Sir George Young
MP (M9)
STRENGTHENING THE
ROLE OF
THE BACKBENCHER
1. MORE TRANSPARENT
SYSTEM OF
APPOINTMENT TO
STANDING COMMITTEES
At the moment, names are submitted by the relevant
Whips to the Committee of Selection. The Committee has no idea
of who might be interested in serving on which Bills. I suggest
that those interested in serving should write to the Clerk—as
used to happen. The Committee could then make a more informed
decision.
2. LESS TIME
FOR FRONT-BENCH
SPEECHES AND
SHORTER STATEMENTS;
FREEING UP
TIME FOR
BACKBENCHERS
I understand the point made by the Leader of
the House about front bench spokesmen taking interventions. But
this risks becoming a vicious circle. As more interventions are
taken, backbenchers see that they are going to be squeezed out
of the debate. So they make an intervention instead, thereby further
reducing the time for speeches. And while some statements are
short, they are read out incredibly slowly (the current Home Secretary
springs to mind). Progress has been made, but more could be done.
3. MORE USE
OF TIME
LIMITS TO
GET MORE
BACKBENCHERS IN
Four eight minutes speeches are likely to be
more informative than two 16 minute speeches. It also keeps the
Chamber fuller. Again, progress has been made, but many speeches
could be a good deal shorter without losing their impact.
4. ALLOW DEBATES
TO END
EARLY, WHEN
THERE ARE
NOT ENOUGH
SPEAKERS
"Thou shalt not kill; nor strive, officiously
to keep alive"
5. CONTINUING
DEVELOPMENT OF
ALTERNATIVE CAREER
STRUCTURE
Progress has been made to counter the gravitational
pull of Ministerial office. But, again, more needs to be done
to encourage Members to see a career on the backbenches as an
equally rewarding one to running a Government department.
November 2006
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