Committee calls for evidence into COVID-19's impact on Parliament
12 June 2020
The Constitution Committee would like your views on the workings of Parliament and Government in response to the pandemic and what the future of Parliamentary scrutiny might look like as a result.
- Inquiry: Constitutional implications of COVID-19
- Call for evidence: Constitutional implications of COVID-19: Parliament and Government
- Constitution Committee
Inquiry background
The House of Lords Constitution Committee is undertaking an inquiry into the constitutional implications of COVID-19. It is exploring the impact of the pandemic, and the Government's response to it, in relation to the operation of the courts and tribunals.
Questions
These are some of the questions we would like your views on, but the Committee welcomes written submissions on any aspect of this topic, and particularly on the issues and questions set out in the call for evidence.
- What effect have virtual proceedings had on different types of parliamentary business? Have some things worked better than others? E.g. Oral questions, statements and debates, bills and statutory instruments, committees.
- If the ability of Parliament to operate normally is compromised for an extended period, what are the core tasks that are required to maintain (a) the business of government, and (b) effective democratic scrutiny?
- What lessons can be learned from the parliamentary scrutiny of the Coronavirus Bill, as a substantial and complex piece of emergency legislation?
- What does Parliament need to do to operate effectively in the short-term? What further procedural or practical changes should be considered?
Deadline
The deadline for submissions is 12pm on Thursday 20 August 2020.
Further information