22-7-02

“Work of Government must not go unchecked over summer” says Barrett

John Barrett, Scottish Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West, today attacked the parliamentary rules, which will allow the work of Government to go virtually unchecked by MPs for the next three months.

Mr Barrett has criticised the fact that during the summer recess, which runs from Thursday 25th July until Tuesday 15th October, MPs are unable to ask any parliamentary questions, leaving the work of Government Departments without parliamentary scrutiny.

John Barrett MP said:

“Although business in the House of Commons comes to an end on Wednesday, the work of Government certainly does not. However, under current rules, MPs like myself are unable to provide the scrutiny of Government we were elected to carry out.

“I see no reason why the ability to ask written questions, one of the most useful tools an MP has for keeping the Government in check, has to cease during the parliamentary recess. Despite the end of the parliamentary term, MPs still have constituents with problems along with local and national issues needing addressed. Yet asking a written question, where the Minister customarily answers within a week, is not an option. Instead MPs have to write letters, with no guarantees for an early answer or even acknowledgement.

“It is clear this is an area requiring urgent parliamentary reform, something I will be pressing on the Common’s Modernisation Committee and the Leader of the House, Robin Cook.”

ENDS