Appendix: Government response to the Committee's
First Report of Session 2014-15
Letter from the Leader of the
House of Commons, Rt Hon William Hague MP, to Mr Charles Walker
MP, Chair of the Procedure Committee
I am responding on behalf of the Government to the
Procedure Committee's First Report of Session 2014-15 on Business
in Westminster Hall. The Government welcomes the constructive
way in which the Committee has reviewed the operation of Westminster
Hall and accepts the majority of its recommendations.
There are a number of changes proposed which are
matters for the House and with which the Government is content.
The provision of one hour debates on Tuesdays and Wednesdays by
extending sittings for half an hour will provide useful additional
flexibility. The arrangements set out by the Committee in Chapter
2 of its Report to provide an opportunity for Opposition spokespeople
to participate in such debates are sensible. Similarly, the Government
has no objection to the continuance of the existing practice whereby
the Backbench Business Committee allocates one 90 minute debate
in Westminster Hall per week, nor to the extension of the Speaker's
power to order the withdrawal of a disorderly Member to the Chair
in Westminster Hall.
The Government agrees that the use of the term "general
debate" for debates in Westminster Hall instead of "adjournment
debate" will improve clarity and make the House's procedures
more consistent. It is essential, as the Committee indicates,
that the Chairman of Ways and Means ensures that the titles of
such debates remain genuinely neutral and free from argument or
implied opinion.
In terms of the role of the Chairman of Ways and
Means, the Government notes the lack of clarity surrounding responsibility
for the business in Westminster Hall on Thursday sittings. Whilst
we are not aware that this has given rise to serious problems
in practice, it is helpful for Members to know that there is a
single point of authority to resolve any practical or procedural
issues relating to the conduct of business there. The Government
also agrees that the Chairman of Ways and Means should have responsibility
for specifying the finishing time of business in Westminster Hall,
provided that this is within the confines of the overarching finishing
times set out in the Standing Order. The Government therefore
agrees with the Committee's recommendations in paragraphs 22 and
29.
With regard to the use of substantive motions in
Westminster Hall, the Government agrees that the main Chamber
is the proper place for debates on amendable business, not least
in view of the practical difficulties surrounding voting in Westminster
Hall. The Government does not wish to rule out the possibility
of some substantive business being taken in Westminster Hall at
some point in future, for example, in order to remove pressure
upon the Chamber. However, more work would need to be undertaken
on the practical and procedural implications. It is for this reason
that the Government would not support the recommendations of the
Committee to repeal paragraphs (9) and (12) of Standing Order
No 10.
The Government agrees that since the provision for
the House to appoint members of the Panel of Chairs to sit in
Westminster Hall as Deputy Speaker is not used in practice, it
could reasonably be repealed, as proposed in paragraph 34.
The Committee proposes that Thursday sittings should
be brought forward by one hour to start at 12.30pm and finish
at 3.30pm. It further recommends that the current sittings on
Mondays and Thursdays be swapped so that select committee debates
chosen by the Liaison Committee and Backbench debates are taken
on a Monday and any debates on e-petitions are scheduled on a
Thursday. The Government is committed to maintaining the integrity
of Thursdays as a full Parliamentary day. The Committee's proposals
would send a contrary signal, particularly given that there would
be many Thursdays on which there would be no business in Westminster
Hall. Furthermore, it is not apparent that there is widespread
demand for an earlier start and finish on a Thursday.
We are not persuaded by the argument that it is undesirable
for backbench and select committee business to be taken in Westminster
Hall and the Chamber at the same time. It is more important to
avoid, as far as possible, clashes between debates in Westminster
Hall and Questions and Statements in the Chamber. The chances
of there being such clashes would be increased by the Committee's
proposal.
My office will work with the Committee on the agreement
of a revised Standing Order on the basis of the draft provided
in the Committee's Report and, subject to agreement, I will aim
to bring forward the revised Standing Order to the House at an
appropriate opportunity.
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