Thursday 13 November 2008

Regional Committees

Congratulations to Andrew Mackinlay MP, whose amendment was passed by two votes last night, preventing the payment to the Chairmen of the new regional committees of the £14,000 paid to the Chairmen of Select Committees.

Give that sum a moment to think in. £14,000 is MPs' idea if just a little bit extra, over and above normal pay and expenses, for chairing a Select Committee.

House of Commons Committees reflect the composition of the House, so heaven knows how a future Tory-dominated House (if there ever is one) would fill a committee of North East MPs.

But no one wants these things, anyway. We want a proper Parliament and proper local government. Not "regions" romantically named after mere points on the compass.

2 comments:

  1. Most MPs can't do anything without wanting a bit more cash...

    These regional select committees are probably to provide cover to the lack of accountability of the regional ministers that Brown brought in.

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  2. Doubtless.

    But then, ALL Ministers are unaccountabel now, in that no one ever asks them any questions.

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