Minor problems on a major proposal
Some fascinating suggestions on slimmer government from Sir John Major.
As I predicted, to dispense when he appeared at the Public Administration Select Committee yesterday. He made the point that a lot of ministers exist almost solely to ensure that government departments are accountable in both Lords and Commons.
And if the rules were changed so that all ministers were able to speak and answer questions in both houses, we wouldn't need so many of them. Between a quarter and a third could be culled, he thought.
Sharpening his axe, he then suggested that only cabinet ministers should have a PPS, or . A PPS is supposed to be the link-person between the minister and parliamentary opinion; it's normally the first step towards an actual ministerial job, and - crucially - PPS's are members of the government, and are bound by collective responsibility. In other words, they have to support every dot and comma of government policy, without question or reservation, at least in public.
So, between all the ministers and PPS's a large chunk of the Commons is bound not to question the government. And Sir John thinks that's unhealthy.
Salary proposal
But if there are to be fewer jobs as ministers and their bag-carriers, MPs need some alternative career ladder to climb. So he suggests extra salaries for chairs and vice-chairs of select committees - even paying the most senior select committee chair, the chair of the Public Accounts Committee, the same salary as a cabinet minister.
In return, they would take a bigger role in scrutinising bills, before they're formally put to Parliament. And to make sure there's plenty to scrutinise, he thinks governments should switch from publishing a year's legislative programme, in the annual Queen's Speech, to publishing a four or five-year programme, when they take office.
It might not defuse real political controversy but it could smooth out bad drafting and forestall unexpected consequences to new laws.
Everyone's in favour of slimmer government and a stronger parliament. In theory. But the Major Plan means fewer career baubles to hand out. Will any future
government bite that particular bullet?
I'm Mark D'Arcy and I'll be writing about what goes on in the chambers and committee rooms at Westminster.
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