Call for Evidence

Following the appointment of the Rt Hon Lord Cameron of Chipping Norton to the role of Foreign Secretary on 13 November 2023, the Procedure Committee is undertaking an inquiry to explore options for MPs to effectively scrutinise Secretaries of State in the House of Lords and the work of their departments.

The Procedure Committee is inviting written evidence submissions on the following questions:

1. Should Secretaries of State in the House of Lords be more directly accountable to the House of Commons?
2. If yes, what forum would be most effective for such scrutiny to occur? For example, the House of Commons Chamber, Westminster Hall or another forum?
3. What form should such scrutiny take? Should it be limited to certain types of business such as statements or departmental questions, for example?
4. How often should Secretaries of State in the House of Lords be expected to appear before the House of Commons?
5. Are there any international comparators that would be useful for the committee to look at?

Written submissions on any issue relevant to the Committee’s inquiry are welcome. They should be made through the Committee’s evidence portal.

The deadline for submission of written evidence is noon on 14 December 2023.