House of Commons - Revisiting the Cabinet Manual - Political and Constitutional Reform

Political and Constitutional Reform - Fifth Report
Revisiting the Cabinet Manual

Here you can browse the report together with the Proceedings of the Committee. The published report was ordered by the House of Commons to be printed 26 January 2015.

Contents

Terms of Reference

Summary

1 Background

Our inquiry

Origins of the Cabinet Manual

2 Progress since the Committee's earlier report

Ambiguity and complexity

Ownership

Legal status

Precedent Books

3 Use of the Cabinet Manual

Audience

Public use of the Cabinet Manual

Use by Ministers

Two versions of the Manual?

Conclusions on use of the Manual

4 Future revision

Purpose and limitations of the Cabinet Manual

How often should the Manual be revised?

Accuracy

What is the role of Parliament in its revision?

Specific suggestions for revision

Duty on incumbent Prime Minister to remain in office

Pre-election contacts

War powers

Conclusions and recommendations

Formal Minutes

Witnesses

Published written evidence

List of Reports from the Committee during the current Parliament