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27/10/2009
Bercow's Talks On Cabinet Peers
Moves could be afoot to make Cabinet Ministers sitting in the House of Lord more accountable.
At present peers appointed to ministerial posts cannot be questioned by MPs in the Commons Chamber.
The two distinct houses operate in tandem but there is no cross-over with regards to direct questions from the benches.
This means many junior ministers sitting in the Commons face a grilling from MPs instead of their more high profile bosses, such as Business Secretary Lord Mandelson.
Commons Speaker John Bercow has written to all party leaders on the issue, which is being "actively" discussed.
Mr Bercow is said to be hopeful a solution can be reached.
Transport Secretary Lord Adonis has made it clear both he and Cabinet colleague Lord Mandelson would be willing to appear in the Commons.
However, constitutional difficulties would force the exchanges to be heard in other areas of parliament buildings, such as Westminster Hall.
According to the Daily Telegraph, Prime Minister Gordon Brown is keen for the changes to go further than this.
"I am keen that all secretaries of state are fully accountable to Parliament," Mr Brown reportedly wrote to the Speaker.
(PR/BMcC)
At present peers appointed to ministerial posts cannot be questioned by MPs in the Commons Chamber.
The two distinct houses operate in tandem but there is no cross-over with regards to direct questions from the benches.
This means many junior ministers sitting in the Commons face a grilling from MPs instead of their more high profile bosses, such as Business Secretary Lord Mandelson.
Commons Speaker John Bercow has written to all party leaders on the issue, which is being "actively" discussed.
Mr Bercow is said to be hopeful a solution can be reached.
Transport Secretary Lord Adonis has made it clear both he and Cabinet colleague Lord Mandelson would be willing to appear in the Commons.
However, constitutional difficulties would force the exchanges to be heard in other areas of parliament buildings, such as Westminster Hall.
According to the Daily Telegraph, Prime Minister Gordon Brown is keen for the changes to go further than this.
"I am keen that all secretaries of state are fully accountable to Parliament," Mr Brown reportedly wrote to the Speaker.
(PR/BMcC)
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