Procedure Committee opens inquiry into Commons scrutiny of Secretaries of State in the House of Lords

Following the appointment of the Rt Hon Lord Cameron of Chipping Norton to the role of Foreign Secretary, the Procedure Committee is undertaking an inquiry to explore options for MPs to effectively scrutinise Secretaries of State and the work of their departments.

Chair's comment

Rt Hon Karen Bradley MP, Chair of the Procedure Committee, said:

“The appointment of the new Foreign Secretary has rightly raised many concerns and questions on how he will be answerable to the House of Commons.

MPs have a unique privilege in being able to scrutinise the work of the government in the Commons chamber, and it is our responsibility to our constituents to hold ministers to account.

This inquiry will explore options by which a Secretary of State in the Lords can be effectively questioned by MPs.”

Further details of the inquiry, including calls for written evidence and oral evidence sessions, will be announced in due course.