1 Introduction
Background
1. We and our predecessor Committees have considered
the use of explanatory statements on amendments on a number of
occasions, following a 2006 recommendation from the Modernisation
Committee that the Procedure Committee "draw up a set of
rules governing the tabling and publishing of explanatory statements
to amendments in standing committee".[1]
The aim was to assist Members in preparing for debate in committee
by providing a brief explanation of the intended effect of a proposed
amendment. There were several pilots in the last Parliament which
were evaluated by our predecessor Committee in 2010.[2]
2010-12 Report
2. We returned to the matter following the last
election, in our second report of Session 2010-12.[3]
In that report, we considered the reasons for the disappointing
and inconclusive results of previous pilots. We concluded that
"the experimental basis on which explanatory statements have
been permitted in the past has led to some uncertainty at times
and has not enabled the facility to become part of the culture
of the Commons".[4]
For that reason, we considered that it would be appropriate to
allow explanatory statements throughout the current Parliament,
enabling the House to decide whether to make the facility permanent
after the next election.
3. On 13 October 2011, the House noted this recommendation,
but did not agree to our proposal that explanatory statements
be permitted to all bills (except the Finance Bill) throughout
the Parliament. Instead, the House agreed that a further pilot
should be undertaken, on one or two bills, before the end of the
2012-13 Session.[5]
1 First Report from the Select Committee on the Modernisation
of the House of Commons, Session 2005-06, The Legislative Process
(HC 1097). Back
2
Second Report from the Procedure Committee, Session 2009-10, Explanatory
statements on amendments to bills (HC 410). Back
3
Second Report from the Procedure Committee, Session 2009-10, Improving
the effectiveness of parliamentary scrutiny:(a) Select committee
amendments; (b) Explanatory statements on amendments; (c) Written
parliamentary questions (HC 800). Back
4
HC 800, para 30. Back
5
Votes and Proceedings, 13 October 2011. Back
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