03 May 2002
The public administration select committee, commenting on the government's response to its earlier report on the issue, also insisted there was widespread support for its demand for a 60% elected chamber.
The draft proposals published by Lord Irvine, the lord chancellor, only allows for 20% of members to be elected. In both cases, the remainder would be appointed, some by the political parties and the rest by an independent commission.
MPs called for 'early and credible' reforms. 'For us that means a legitimate chamber with a much greater role for election than that envisaged by the government,' their report says.
The government expects to complete its consultation exercise by July and will publish final proposals later this year.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Tony Blair has broken with precedent and finally given in to MPs' demands to appear before a select committee. Blair will now appear before the liaison committee, made up of all the select committees' chairs, twice a year to answer questions.
Backbenchers have long argued that the many units set up within the Cabinet Office, reporting directly to Blair, have not been subject to proper Parliamentary scrutiny because he could not be questioned about them.
PFmay2002
