Public Bodies Bill — Decline Second Reading — 12 Jul 2011 at 21:40

The majority of MPs voted to enable ministers to abolish, merge or transfer the functions of the public bodies.

MPs were considering the Public Bodies Act 2011^[1]. The motion rejected by the majority of MPs:

• That this House,
• while agreeing that there needs to be a constant reassessment of the role, effectiveness and relevance of public bodies,
• declines to give a second reading to the Public Bodies Bill because it fails to provide a full and comprehensive plan for the reform of public bodies;
• regrets that Ministers have failed to properly cost reforms and identify savings, have failed to understand the important functions performed by some of the bodies affected by the Bill and therefore to provide for credible successor arrangements, have failed to consult properly on proposed reforms with the public and the bodies themselves, and have failed to undertake a proper impact assessment of each affected body; and
• considers that the overall effect of these failings has been that the House has been presented with legislative proposals which undermine the credibility of the proper processes of government.

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• [1] Parliament's webpage on the Public Bodies Bill (now an Act)

Debate in Parliament | Source |