Call for cabinet confirmation hearings

Cabinet ministers should be subject to confirmation hearings before their appointment, the Commons has heard.

During questions on future business, Peter Bone (Con, Wellingborough) welcomed action taken by the government to be more open to scrutiny, but suggested it go one step further and "look into having confirmation hearings for new Cabinet ministers".

The Tory backbencher has already earlier this week presented a bill under the ten minute rule which would abolish whips but not the Whips Office.

In response, Commons leader Sir George Young said that given Bone's presentation proposing the abolition of the Whips Office "I am not sure that it was an intelligent career move".

Sir George told MPs: "The notion of confirmatory hearings for Cabinet ministers is a novel constitutional innovation, because responsibility currently rests with the prime minister.

"Whether he would want to share it with my hon. Friend and others is a matter for him, so On this particular issue my hon. Friend will just have to hold his breath."

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