The Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee
(PACAC) is launching an inquiry into the rules
and processes which dictate how, where and when the most
important government announcements are made to Parliament.
The inquiry will seek to establish whether the Ministerial Code
sufficiently articulates what is expected of Ministers when
making major policy announcements and the extent to which
Ministers are observing the rules.
Currently, the Ministerial Code states that “When Parliament is
in session, the most important announcements of government policy
should be made in the first instance in Parliament”.
In a letter to the Committee
which has been published today, the Speaker of the House
highlights his concerns with the current system, referencing
recent examples of major announcements which were briefed to the
media before being brought to the House such as the immigration
white paper and US-UK trade deal.
MPs will also explore when oral or written statements should be
required, in order to ensure the process enables proper scrutiny
where needed.
Chair of the Public Administration and Constitutional
Affairs Committee, MP, said:
“The Committee is happy to take up this work following the
request from the Speaker. It is of the utmost importance that the
Ministerial Code and the actions of Ministers meet the high
standards of parliamentary democracy while allowing the
Government to get their message out to the public
effectively.”
Terms of reference
We will consider:
· Whether the Ministerial
Code spells out adequately what the House should properly be able
to expect of Ministers when making major policy
announcements.
· Whether its requirements
are observed with sufficient rigour by Ministers.
· When a written ministerial
statement might be appropriate and when an oral statement is
required, to allow the House the opportunity to question and
scrutinise in addition to merely being informed.
Submissions can be made here. The deadline for
submitting evidence is Friday 11 July.
