I gave evidence to the Public Administration Committee in the Commons last November as part of its inquiry into Smaller Government: what do ministers do? and was subsequently appointed as a specialist adviser to the committee in order to assist in the drafting of the report. The report has now been published, arguing that reducing…
Last Tuesday, I gave evidence, along with Peter Riddell and Professor Robert Hazell, to the Public Administration Committee in the Commons on whether or not there were too many ministers. We were agreed that there are too many, with the number now appointed, along with Parliamentary Private Secretaries, creating too great a payroll vote in the…
In an earlier post, Lord Tyler referred to the Deputy PM indicating his sympathy for the proposal for reducing the number of ministers in the event of the reduction in the number of MPs. This sympathy did not translate into Government action. On Monday, Charles Walker, the Conservative MP for Broxbourne, moved a new clause…
Former Chancellor Kenneth Clarke has been appointed Shadow Business Secretary. He will be the opposite number to Lord Mandelson. However, he will not be facing Lord Mandelson as they sit in different chambers. Lord Mandelson answers directly to peers and can be called to appear by committees in the Commons. Conversely, ministers in the Commons…
A Prime Minister can appoint as many ministers as he or she wishes. However, there is a statutory limit on the number that can be in receipt of a ministerial salary. Under the Ministers and Other Salaries Act 1975, no more than 109 ministers can be in receipt of salaries. Under the House of Commons…
