Constitutional Reform and Governance Bill

I thank the hon. Member for Cambridge (David Howarth) for his contribution, which reflects his passionate views that the House should have better scrutiny of Government spending for future years. I know that that was one of the themes of his speech on Second Reading, in which he said that serious reform was required of the way in which Parliament relates to Government on money issues. The hon. Gentleman will know that the Government published a memorandum in March containing formal proposals to Parliament for better alignment between budgets, estimates and accounts. The memorandum explained the plans to simplify the Government's financial reporting to Parliament, ensuring that they report in a more consistent, transparent and straightforward fashion on spending plans, estimates and expenditure outcomes. The hon. Gentleman will know that an important plank in moving towards alignment is covered by part 8, on the transparency of Government financial reporting and, in particular, the inclusion in departmental estimates of resources used by designated bodies. On 3 July, the Liaison Committee responded to the memorandum on behalf of the other Select Committees, and in its response it covered some of the same ground as the hon. Gentleman has. In particular— Debate interrupted (Programme Order, 3 November). The Chairman put forthwith the Question already proposed from the Chair (Standing Order No. 83D), That the new clause be added to the Bill. Question put and negatived. The Chairman then put forthwith the Questions necessary for the disposal of the business to be concluded at that time (Standing Order No. 83D). Clause 51 ordered to stand part of the Bill. Clause 52 ordered to stand part of the Bill. The Chairman left the Chair to report progress and ask leave to sit again (Programme Order, 3 November). The Deputy Speaker resumed the Chair. Progress reported; Committee to sit again tomorrow.