Rebuilding the House - House of Commons Reform Committee Contents


Memorandum submitted by Sir Patrick Cormack FSA MP

  I do not wish to burden you with a long letter but I would like to make the following points.

    1. Members of select committees should be appointed by a new selection committee, which is not dominated by the Whips. Members wishing to serve on select committees should make their applications direct to a committee of selection, and it should bear in mind a variety of factors, such as knowledge and experience on the subject, location of constituency, age and seniority, in making its selection. It should be a requirement that no Member should be appointed to more than one select committee and that every Member appointed to a select committee have a 60% attendance record. Each committee should elect its own chairman.

    3. I have made separate representations on this subject to the Committee of Privileges.

    4. The business of the House should be determined by a business committee chaired either by the Speaker or the Chairman of Ways and Means.

    5. If there is an independent business committee it will obviously take into account matters of great public interest when determining the business of the House. There should be one topical debate per week, and it should take place between 7.30-10.00 pm on a Wednesday evening, and the subject should be chosen by the business committee.

  I hope these comments are helpful and if you wish me to expand on any of them I will gladly do so.

September 2009





 
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