NEW BLOG: David Natzler, former Clerk (chief official) of the House of Commons, looks at the emergency bill being debated today, and how else parliament may need to adapt to maintain scrutiny during the COVID-19 crisis. #coronavirusuk
THREAD ⬇️⬇️
constitution-unit.com/2020/03/23/par…
The Coronavirus Bill will be debated in the Commons today: a 321-page bill to be discussed for just six hours before going to the Lords.
Speed is clearly necessary, but it contains extensive powers and scrutiny is important to avoid mistakes being made.
An sad feature of current circumstances is that the #CoronavirusBill won't benefit from the usual scrutiny from key committees: Joint Committee on Human Rights, Lords Constitution and Delegated Powers and Regulatory Reform committees.
Plenty for them to consider in this bill.
One major point of contention is the "sunsetting" arrangements.
The provisions are temporary, but last until 2022. Parliamentarians may want to shorten that, and build in more frequent reviews.
There's lots of useful briefing from @commonslibrary here:
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/?s=Coronavirus…
Beyond the bill, parliament will want to hold ministers to account throughout the crisis via select committees, (urgent) questions, and government statements.
Democratic oversight is essential, while nonetheless respecting that ministers are working flat out to do their jobs.
Parliament itself will need to adapt to COVID-19. To avoid overcrowded division lobbies possibilities include extensive "pairing" between the parties, use of proxy votes, or even block voting (though the latter will raise concerns and needs approaching with care).
Select committees are exploring virtual meetings via video conferencing, though there are technical challenges. The quorum may reduce to one member physically present.
In the Lords younger members will be able to preside, after the 82-year-old @LordSpeaker chose to self-isolate.
On Wednesday the Petitions Committee (@HoCpetitions) will hold an innovative session with ministers and the Chief Medical Officer on #coronavirusuk, after receiving 45,000 public questions, and petitions with 1.8 million signatures
parliament.uk/business/commi…
All-in-all the flexibility of our constitution allows lots of room for rapid innovation and adaptation to the challenges of the current crisis.
But to ensure good decision-making by government, appropriate parliamentary oversight and accountability will remain essential.
ENDS.
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