Conclusions and recommendations
1 We agree with the Speaker that in a modern democracy the choice of Deputy Speakers should be determined by election.
(Paragraph 15)
2 In saying this, we stress that this is a reflection of changing times and not of the failure of the previous system which produced many excellent occupants of the Chair. We wish to record our thanks, and those of the House, to the current Deputy Speakers for their dedicated and much valued service.
(Paragraph 16)
3 We agree that the party balance across the occupants of the Chair should be maintained.
(Paragraph 19)
4 We are strongly of the view that what matters here is the principle and that since the occupants of the Chair serve the whole House, they should be elected by the whole House. We ask the House to endorse the principle that the Deputy Speakers should be chosen through a ballot of the whole House.
(Paragraph 23)
5 We ask the House to endorse our preparation
of detailed proposals for the election of the Deputy Speakers.
We will ensure that we report these proposals for decision by
the House early in the next Session in time to enable elections
to be held at the start of the new Parliament in 2010. (Paragraph
25)
6 We ask the House to endorse the examination by the Procedure Committee of the principle of applying term limits to the period of office of the Speaker and his Deputies and of what length of service might be appropriate.
(Paragraph 27)
7 We recommend that the House:
a) endorse the principle that the Deputy Speakers
should be elected;
b) endorse the principle that the Deputy Speakers
should be elected by the whole House in a way that ensures that
the party balance within the House is respected;
c) endorse the preparation by the Procedure Committee
of detailed proposals for the House to consider in time to enable
elections to be held at the start of the new Parliament; and
d) endorse the examination by the Procedure Committee
of the principle of adopting term limits for the Speaker and his
Deputies and make recommendations in this regard. (Paragraph 28)
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