Committees

Status of Resolutions of the House of Commons inquiry

Inquiry

Resolutions of the House of Commons are not legally binding, except where specified in statute. However, resolutions of the House on immediate questions of political controversy have historically had substantial political force, often compelling Governments to change policy.

The status of resolutions of the House was called into question by the decision of the 2010-15 Coalition Government to treat the resolutions passed in the newly-created backbench time as no more than expressions of opinion against which they did not vote, even if they contradicted government policy. Their status has recently become the subject of yet more discussion as a result of the current Government’s approach to resolutions following debates in Opposition time, and there are concerns about what precedents may have been established.

The Committee calls for written submissions on the constitutional status of resolutions and motions of no confidence.

Interim report published

Report published

Government Responses

13th Special Report - Government Response to the Committee’s Fourteenth Report: The Role of Parliament in the UK Constitution Interim Report The Status and Effect of Confidence Motions and the Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011

14th Special Report - Government Response to the Committee’s Fifteenth Report: Status of Resolutions of the House of Commons

Upcoming events

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No upcoming events scheduled

Past events

Monday 19 November 2018
12:30pm Public
Status of Resolutions of the House of Commons inquiry - Oral evidence 19 November 2018
Room 6, Palace of Westminster
Monday 5 November 2018
3:30pm Public
Status of Resolutions of the House of Commons inquiry - Oral evidence 5 November 2018
The Boothroyd Room, Portcullis House
Tuesday 30 October 2018
10:00am Public
Status of Resolutions of the House of Commons inquiry - Oral evidence 30 October 2018
Room 8, Palace of Westminster
Tuesday 23 October 2018
9:15am Public
Status of Resolutions of the House of Commons inquiry - Oral evidence 23 October 2018
Room 8, Palace of Westminster

Contact us

We receive a significant number of emails each day. All requests and invitations are considered but we do not respond directly to everyone. Please be aware, the committee does not look at individual cases or specific complaints.

  • Email: pacac@parliament.uk
  • Address: Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee, House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA