Committee calls for MPs to take house control.Summary: A major cross-party committee is urging MPs to be put back in charge of the House of Commons House of Commons: see Parliament. to restore the public's faith in Parliament. A major cross-party committee is urging MPs to be put back in charge of the House of Commons to restore the public's faith in Parliament in the aftermath of the expenses scandal. Warning that Parliament is "in crisis", it is urging MPs to wrest back independence from the Government so that the Commons could be more responsive to voters' concerns. The 18-strong House of Commons Reform Committee, chaired by Labour MP Tony Wright, was set up as the expenses scandal shook Parliament earlier this year. Reporting today, it has called for the Commons to approve - within two months - proposals that would significantly curb ministerial influence and patronage in the House. Measures included setting up a new, secretly-elected backbench back·bench n. 1. Chiefly British The rear benches in the House of Commons where junior members of Parliament sit behind government officeholders and their counterparts in the opposition party. 2. business committee to reassert reassert Verb 1. to state or declare again 2. reassert oneself to become significant or noticeable again: reality had reasserted itself Verb 1. the role of MPs in setting the Commons agenda and holding legislation to account. One day a week of Commons time would be dictated by backbenchers and the weekly schedule set by a committee of government, opposition and backbench representatives. Independent Television News Limited 2009. All rights reserved. Independent Television News Limited 2009. All rights reserved. Provided by Syndigate.info an Albawaba.com company |
|
||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion