Modernisation of the House of Commons — SELECT COMMITTEES (No. 1) — 14 May 2002 at 19:44

Motion made, and Question proposed,

That-

(1) the following Standing Order (Committee of Nomination) be made:

"(1) There shall be a select committee, called the Committee of Nomination, to propose to the House the membership of all select committees other than the Committee of Nomination itself and any other select committee for which the House makes other provision.

(2) The committee shall consist of nine members nominated by the Chairman of Ways and Means, who shall be the following:

(a) the most senior woman member of the Chairmen's Panel belonging to the Government party, and the three other most senior members of the Panel belonging to that party;

(b) the most senior woman member of the Panel belonging to the party to which the Leader of the Opposition belongs, and the other most senior member of the Panel belonging to that party;

(c) the most senior member of the Panel belonging to the second largest opposition party;

(d) the most senior Member of the House belonging to the Government party but not being a Minister of the Crown; and

(e) the most senior Member of the House not belonging to the Government party who is not a front-bench spokesman for his party.

(3) Where a Member who would otherwise be a member of the Committee of Nomination is unwilling to serve, the next most senior Member in the relevant category shall be nominated.

(4) In sub-paragraphs (a) to (c) of paragraph (2) of this order, seniority shall consist of length of continuous service as a member of the Chairmen's Panel (other than as Chairman or Deputy Chairman of Ways and Means), and in sub-paragraphs (d) and (e) of that paragraph, seniority shall consist of length of continuous service as a Member of the House.

(5) The Chairman of Ways and Means, or in his absence a Deputy Chairman, shall be chairman of the committee, but shall not vote.

(6) The Chairman of Ways and Means shall report the membership of the committee to the House.

(7) The quorum of the committee shall be seven when the committee is nominating select committees at the commencement of a Parliament and otherwise four, in either case including the chairman.

(8) The committee shall have power to sit notwithstanding any adjournment of the House and to report from time to time.";

(2) Standing Order No. 121 (Nomination of select committees) be amended as follows:

Line 9, leave out paragraph (2) and add-

"(2) Unless the House otherwise orders, no motion shall be made for the nomination of members of select committees, or for their discharge, unless-

(a) notice of the motion has been given at least two sitting days previously; and

(b) the motion is made on behalf of the Committee of Nomination by one of its members.

(3) Unless the House otherwise orders, all Members nominated to a select committee shall continue to be members of that committee for the remainder of the Parliament (or for the period of existence of the committee, if that is a shorter period).";

(3) Standing Order No. 15 (Exempted business) be amended, as follows:

Line 16, leave out from "committees)" to "which" in line 20; and

(4) Standing Orders be amended, as follows:

Standing Order No. 139 (Select Committee on Broadcasting)

Line 29, leave out paragraph (6);

Standing Order No. 140 (Joint Committee on Consolidation, &c., Bills)

Line 37, leave out paragraph (4);

Standing Order No. 141 (Deregulation and Regulatory Reform Committee)

Line 98, leave out paragraph (10);

Standing Order No. 142 (Domestic Committees)

Line 37, leave out paragraph (7);

Standing Order No. 143 (European Scrutiny Committee)

Line 80, leave out paragraph (13);

Standing Order No. 144 (Finance and Services Committee)

Line 29, leave out paragraph (5);

Standing Order No. 145 (Liaison Committee)

Line 27, leave out paragraph (4);

Standing Order No. 146 (Select Committee on Public Administration)

Line 20, leave out paragraph (3);

Standing Order No. 147 (Procedure Committee)

Line 11, leave out paragraph (4);

Standing Order No. 148 (Committee of Public Accounts)

Line 10, leave out paragraph (2);

Standing Order No. 149 (Committee on Standards and Privileges)

Line 26, leave out paragraph (3);

Standing Order No. 151 (Statutory Instruments (Joint Committee))

Line 126, leave out paragraph (11);

Standing Order No. 152 (Select committees related to government departments)

Line 34, leave out paragraph (5);

Standing Order No. 152A (Environmental Audit Committee)

Line 10, leave out paragraph (3);

Standing Order No. 152B (Human rights (joint committee))

Line 41, leave out paragraph (6);

Standing Order No. 152C (Tax simplification (joint committee))

Line 15, leave out paragraph (4).-[Mr. Robin Cook.]

Amendment made: (a), in line 7, leave out 'nine' and insert 'thirteen'.-[Mr. Lloyd.]

Amendment proposed: (d), in line 20, at end add 'and

(f) two Members belonging to the Government party, one belonging to the party to which the Leader of the Opposition belongs, and one belonging to the second largest opposition party, in each case first elected to the House in the previous Parliament and proposed by the chairman of the relevant party.'.-[Mr. Lloyd.]

Amendment made to the proposed amendment: (h), in line 4, after second 'the', insert 'current or'.- [Mr. Bryant.]

Amendment, as amended, agreed to.

Amendment made: (e), in line 21, after '(3)', insert 'In sub-paragraphs (a) to (c) of paragraph (2) of this order.'.-[Mr. Lloyd.]

Main Question, as amended, put:-

The House divided: Ayes 195, Noes 209.

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