Downing Street Says » House votes on November 1

» Thursday, November 2, 2006

House votes on November 1

He was asked if he was content with the outcome of the voting on various House matters yesterday. The Leader said he was particularly pleased at the changes made in the legislative process and the manner of dealing with Bills. These were very important. They would greatly improve the way in which the Commons was able to scrutinize legislation and improve the way Ministers were held to account by the Commons on measures. He said that, on the issue of the communications allowance, one member of the Opposition, who had supported the Leader’s motion, had said that one advantage of it would be to cap overall spending by MPs on communications, including stationery. Mr Straw pointed out that the motion had been put forward after much discussion within the all-party institutions of the House. The matter would now return to the Members Estimates Committee for consideration and then be brought back before MPs for approval or not. On September sittings, Mr Straw said he had changed his mind from his initial support for their retention. It was very important to understand that it was not about shortening the Parliamentary year; it was about how it was used.

The Leader said that, unless and until the timing and length of the main conferences in the autumn, it would be difficult for the House to meet before the beginning of October each year after the summer recess. He would prefer it if the House could rise in mid-July to help Scottish MPs and return in mid-September.

Mr Straw also pointed out that, apart from Greece, the UK Parliament sat for longer than any other European parliament and was among those which sit for the longest in the world. In addition, he said there were discussions taking place about trying to alter the timing and possibly the length of party conferences.

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