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Procedure Committee opens inquiry into Commons scrutiny of Secretaries of State in the House of Lords

22 November 2023

The Commons Procedure Committee is opening a new inquiry into how members of the House of Commons can hold to account Secretaries of States in the House of Lords.

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

Chair's comment

Rt Hon Karen Bradley MP, Chair of the Procedure Committee, said:

“The appointment of the new Foreign Secretary has rightly raised many concerns and questions on how he will be answerable to the House of Commons.

MPs have a unique privilege in being able to scrutinise the work of the government in the Commons chamber, and it is our responsibility to our constituents to hold ministers to account.

This inquiry will explore options by which a Secretary of State in the Lords can be effectively questioned by MPs.” 

Further information

Image credit: UK Parliament / Elspeth Keep