Asked by: Virendra Sharma (Labour - Ealing, Southall)
Question to the Leader of the House:
To ask the Leader of the House, if he will hold discussions with relevant stakeholders on strengthening the powers of the Committee on Standards in relation to the enforcement of guidelines on MPs conduct and behaviour.
Answered by Mark Spencer - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The powers of the Standards Committee are provided for in the Standing Orders (Standing Order No.149). It is for the House as a whole to consider on a cross-party basis whether the Standards system as set out in the Code of Conduct for MPs is sufficiently robust. The Committee is currently reviewing the Code of Conduct and the Government has responded to their proposals for reform.
Asked by: Virendra Sharma (Labour - Ealing, Southall)
Question to the Leader of the House:
To ask the Leader of the House, what discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the time taken to respond to (a) written questions and (b) letters from hon. Members.
Answered by Jacob Rees-Mogg
The Government attaches great importance to the effective and timely handling of correspondence and written questions. Some departments are seeing a significant increase in correspondence during the pandemic but it is vital that members are able to ask questions of departments on behalf of constituents with confidence that they will receive a timely and useful response. I have written to all members of Cabinet to remind them of the importance of this.
Asked by: Virendra Sharma (Labour - Ealing, Southall)
Question to the Leader of the House:
To ask the Leader of the House, what his Office's wellness strategy is.
Answered by Chris Grayling
I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office on 3 March 2016, to Question UIN 27925.
Asked by: Virendra Sharma (Labour - Ealing, Southall)
Question to the Leader of the House:
To ask the Leader of the House, what the (a) policy and (b) other responsibilities are of each special adviser in his Office.
Answered by Chris Grayling
I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office on 29 February 2016, to Question UIN 27946.