Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministerial Statement

Commons Scrutiny of Secretaries of State in the House of Lords

18 April 2024 · 8 other contributors

Opened by Karen Bradley Con Staffordshire Moorlands

Parliamentary Procedure

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Karen Bradley raised concerns about commons scrutiny of secretaries of state in the house of lords in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.

Key points

  • Karen Bradley, Chairing the Procedure Committee, made a statement in the House of Commons regarding the Government's rejection of recommendations for scrutinising Secretaries of State in the House of Lords at the Bar of the Commons.
  • The Government dismissed the recommendation due to concerns about novelty and constitutional implications, according to Bradley.
  • Bradley highlighted that the current arrangements do not allow for the recommended scrutiny process.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Government Statement

Karen Bradley

Karen Bradley, Chairing the Procedure Committee, made a statement regarding the Government's rejection of recommendations for scrutinising Secretaries of State in the House of Lords at the Bar of the Commons. She expressed regret that despite the strength of feeling across the House and clear evidence from her committee’s work, the Government dismissed the recommendation due to concerns about novelty and constitutional implications. Bradley highlighted that the current arrangements do not allow all Members to question directly the Foreign Secretary on behalf of their constituents, undermining democratic accountability at a time of international uncertainty. She urged the Government to reconsider.

Other contributors (8)
  • Lucy Powell Lab Co-op Manchester Central

    Question

    Does the Chair agree that there is cross-party support for her Committee’s recommendations, and does she have plans to help advance these despite the Government’s rejection?

    Minister reply

    Bradley acknowledged wide support across the House but stated that as a committee they are not planning further work. She urged the Government to reconsider their stance and suggested that changes can be proposed by the Government for scrutiny.

  • Patrick Grady

    Question

    Was it predictable that the Government would reject these recommendations? Would it make more sense if the Government themselves presented proposals for change?

    Minister reply

    Karen Bradley agreed with Patrick's frustration and noted that changes to Standing Orders are within the Government’s gift, though she suggested the value of consulting committees on proposed amendments.

  • Kevan Jones

    Question

    Does the right hon. Lady have information on whether the Deputy Foreign Secretary can answer non-secure questions about MI6?

    Minister reply

    Karen Bradley mentioned that precedent exists for a Deputy Foreign Secretary to handle such roles and indicated her lack of specific knowledge regarding changes in the deputy's portfolio, suggesting this could be clarified by the Leader of the House.

  • Clive Efford Lab Eltham and Chislehurst

    Question

    In principle, no one should be in government who cannot be scrutinised in the elected Chamber representing the people of this country. That is the principle that all Governments should apply, and I do not think that this appointment should have taken place until that issue was sorted out.

    Minister reply

    The hon. Gentleman tempts me, but that is definitely above my pay grade.

  • Richard Foord Lib Dem Honiton and Sidmouth

    Question

    The Chair of the Committee has done great work on trying to bring the noble Lord Cameron to the Bar of the House. Given that the UK’s relations with some of its adversaries are as tense as they have been since the early 1980s, does the right hon. Lady think that the noble Lord Cameron might want to avert such an outcome by answering questions at the Bar of the House?

    Minister reply

    The Committee considered all the points carefully, and looked at the evidence and at precedent. That is why we came to the conclusion that the Bar of the House was the right place for scrutiny of Secretaries of State in the House of Lords.

  • Christopher Chope Con Christchurch

    Question

    I thank my right hon. Friend for the work she does on the Committee, and for being so mild-mannered in reporting to the House today the feelings of the Procedure Committee. Does she accept that there is strong anger on the Committee about the nature of the rejection, and the failure to answer any of the points or put forward any detailed justifications for rejecting our recommendations?

    Minister reply

    I feel that my hon. Friend has made his points effectively, and I thank the Clerks of the Committee for helping me perhaps to tone down the response, based on the Committee meetings we have had.

  • Charlotte Nichols Lab Warrington North

    Question

    I thank the Chair of the Committee, and the Committee for their excellent work on this piece. Does the right hon. Lady share my concern that whereas the Secretary of State is an experienced statesperson with knowledge of the different areas across the Foreign Office, having more junior Ministers represent the Department here means that they do not have that expertise across the piece?

    Minister reply

    I think that all Ministers in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office are exemplary and carry out their roles with distinction. The hon. Lady is correct to say that the Secretary of State has a unique role in any Department.

Shadow Comment

Lucy Powell

Lucy Powell questioned whether the Government had misread the mood of the House regarding the recommendations from the Procedure Committee, which were backed by cross-party support. She inquired about plans for the House to express its view on the report and potentially advance its recommendations despite the Government's response.

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