Press Release 9 March 2010
David Hamilton MP welcomes agreement on Parliamentary Reform
Midlothian MP David Hamilton has welcomed the decision by the House of Commons to embark on a series of reforms to the way its works.
The House of Commons voted on a series of reforms to the way that business is scheduled and the mechanisms for appointing and running Select Committees. David Hamilton has been campaigning for these changes for a prolonged period and voted for them in the House of Commons.
He said; "These reforms may come across as small changes to the internal mechanisms of the Commons, but I believe that they are important measures which can help to strengthen the role of the backbench MP, which will in turn offer the public a way of forging a better link with the day-to-day business of Parliament."
The decision means that the chairperson and members of Select Committees will be elected via a secret ballot, taking their appointment away from party managers from all sides of the House.
On this David said; "This is a massive step forward for Select Committees. These Committees are the place where Government is scrutinised in a calm, rational and cross-party forum and I believe that this is where MPs can achieve the biggest impact. However too many MPs are aware that they rely on the support of their frontbenches for their position on committees. This must now end. If we free MPs from party control then I am confident that we can ensure Select Committees can have a real grip over Government policy."
The vote in the House of Commons means that the next Parliament will introduce new measures on non-government business and Select Committees at the start of the new Parliament.
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