That this House recognises the necessary role of Government whips in the running of the House and that a good relationship between backbenchers and whips is a pre-requisite not only for the day-to-day organisation of the House but also can ease the frequently distressing personal and constituency problems of honourable Members; and notes that some of those who could loosely be described as part of the awkward squad to recognise that they may tax the diplomatic skills of the honourable Member for Bradford South but along with others wish to put on record his invariably fair, understanding and courteous manner.

That this House recognises the necessary role of Government whips in the running of the House and that a good relationship between backbenchers and whips is a pre-requisite not only for the day-to-day organisation of the House but also can ease the frequently distressing personal and constituency problems of honourable...

That this House recalls that Early Day Motion 476 warmly welcomed the First Report of the Liaison Committee, Session 1999-2000, (HC 300), published on 2nd March, which observed that the membership of select committees is effectively under the control of the whips and that honourable Members have been kept off select committees because of their views and that this is wrong in principle; recognises that the Early Day Motion has been supported by 244 honourable Members and that the Leader of the House confirmed on 13th July that there would be a separate debate on the Liaison Committee's report; further notes that on the same day the Prime Minister told the Leader of the Opposition that there would be a free vote on the Report's recommendations, as there would be on the Conservative side; and, in the light of the statements made on 23rd October by candidates seeking election to the Speakership and by other honourable Members expressing concerns at the way in which Parliament had allowed itself to be side-lined, calls upon the Leader of the House to make Government time available to debate and vote on the Liaison Committee report.

That this House recalls that Early Day Motion 476 warmly welcomed the First Report of the Liaison Committee, Session 1999-2000, (HC 300), published on 2nd March, which observed that the membership of select committees is effectively under the control of the whips and that honourable Members have been kept off...

That this House warmly welcomes the first report of the Liaison Committee, published on 2nd March, which observes that the membership of select committees is effectively under the control of the Whips and that this has led on occasion to long delays in setting up committees at the start of a parliament and in replacing members thereafter and that members have been kept off committees because of their views; agrees that this is wrong in principle; and believes the implementation of the report's recommendations would strengthen parliamentary scrutiny of the Executive to the positive benefit of both.

That this House warmly welcomes the first report of the Liaison Committee, published on 2nd March, which observes that the membership of select committees is effectively under the control of the Whips and that this has led on occasion to long delays in setting up committees at the start of...