Reform of Westminister select committees may increase scrutiny of government business, the reforms should be backed

Dear All

Reform of Parliament is long overdue and not just because of the expenses scandal.

MPs’ serve on select committees in Wesminister, their purpose is to scrutinise government business.

However a report has been produced that the select committee system is failing for a number of reasons.

With some committees having 14 members, it is felt that it is "well-nigh impossible" for them all to question witnesses properly.

Another problem of the system is poor attendance because some MPs’ can’t be bothered to turn up and do the work.

Commons liaison committee is putting forward and interesting set of proposals which would see all frontbench MPs- ministers or parliamentary private secretaries must be banned from serving on select committees.

This idea has merit as government business should be looked at in as much an impartial manner as possible.

It is said that the enlargement of committees has weakened the system leading to disengagement.

This is the type of reform that all MPs’ should get behind as better governance is the ultimate goal.

It is better that fewer do more scrutiny than a lot doing none.

And we have seen enough bad law being passed already at Westminister.

Yours sincerely

George Laird
The Campaign for Human Rights at Glasgow University