MPs Angry At Changes To Prime Minister's Questions
The Speaker of the House of Commons, Betty Boothroyd, has told MPs that her consent was "neither sought nor given" over Tony Blair's decision to replace twice-weekly Prime Minister's Questions with a single half-hour session.
The issue was raised by a number of opposition MPs who raised points of order as parliament met for the first time to after the Queen's Speech. Alan Clark, who returned to the Commons after a five year absence as Conservative member for Kensington and Chelsea, said that the matter should have been debated on the floor of the House. He said the change "jeopardises the rights of backbenchers on both sides of the Chamber and affects the accountability of the executive to the electorate as a whole."
Mr Clark asked the Speaker to take action against what he called an "encroachment on the rights of members of parliament by government." Miss Boothroyd said that it was a matter for ministers and not for her office.
Members of parliament from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland expressed concern that the new once-weekly session would mean there would be less time to debate issues relating to their countries.
David Trimble, leader of the Ulster Unionists, claimed that Northern Ireland and Welsh questions would be cut by a quarter and Scottish questions by a third. Margaret Ewing of the Scottish National Party said that MPs were "angered at the lack of consultation." Ms Ewing said the move "demeans the rights of the people from Northern Ireland, from Scotland, and from Wales."
In the debate on the Queen's Speech John Major, the leader of the opposition, said that the government was right to look at the procedure for Prime Minister's Questions - but that it would have been better to consult the House.
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