ANNEX: DRAFT RESOLUTION
That this House welcomes the First Report from the
House of Commons Reform Committee, Rebuilding the House,
HC 1117;
looks forward to the full implementation of its proposals
in the next Parliament, subject to agreement in this session of
the necessary Standing Orders, and to implementation in the current
session of some proposals;
acknowledges the need for Government to retain the
first call on House time for Ministerial business and the House's
collective ownership of its time;
welcomes its proposals for enhanced access to the
House agenda for select committees and backbenchers;
endorses its proposal for an elected Backbench Business
Committee to schedule non-Ministerial business, and to join with
Government and Opposition representatives in a House Business
Committee in drafting a weekly agenda to be put to the House for
decision;
welcomes its conclusions on the House's sitting patterns
and on the need for improved procedures at the report stages of
bills;
supports its recommendations for the election by
the whole House of Chairs of departmental and similar select committees,
and the election of members of such committees by secret ballot
of parliamentary parties;
endorses its recommendations on the size and number
of committees, and the timetable for their establishment;
welcomes the proposals designed to help the House
connect more strongly with public concerns, and enhance opportunities
for public involvement in proceedings, including the proposed
shift in the House's engagement agenda towards facilitating public
participation and opening up the process of legislation; and
endorses its proposals on petitions, e-petitions
and a petitions committee scrutiny function.
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