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ePolitix.com reports on MPs' concerns over changes to the machinery of government following the cabinet reshuffle, raised during Thursday's business questions.
Shadow leader of the Commons Alan Duncan has called for a debate on the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.
He referred to the recent reshuffle as one of the "most shambolic in political history", following the departure of 11 ministers from the government in the course of one week.
"Civil servants in DIUS returned to their desks after lunch to find their department had been abolished and subsumed in the empire of he who now must be named first secretary," he said.
"This new super department has 11 ministers, over half of whom are non-elected peers and this is no doubt what the government had in mind when they discussed their latest schemes for democratic renewal."
Duncan added that Lord Mandelson had now become the "de-facto deputy prime minister", with universities "casually" added to his portfolio.
Commons leader Harriet Harman responded by saying the inclusion of universities to the department is essential as part of a skills-based recovery.
She stated: "We make no apology for putting actually at the centre of government action, the question of supporting business and tackling the economic crisis."
Duncan replied that important pieces of legislation had been left in confusion in the aftermath of the reshuffle.
In particular, he highlighted the impact on immigration policy "given that the British National Party managed to win in areas the Labour party had deserted".
Harman said she had been "shocked and horrified" that two regions of the UK are to be represented by the BNP.
She stated that there was "no place" for a political party in Britain to have an "apartheid constitution" that would only accept white people as party members.
"In the Equality Bill, that constitution will be unlawful," she explained.
"I know the Opposition voted against the Equality Bill, and I hope they will strongly support the Equality Bill which prevents us having an apartheid political party in this country."
Liberal Democrat business spokesman David Heath joined calls questioning the changes to the machinery of government.
Heath highlighted how DIUS had been created in a "splash of publicity" yet the "exciting and permanent decision" lasted two years.
He called for a debate on the changes: "It cannot be right for government to be conducted in this way, without having any opportunity to debate the cost benefits of these changes."
Additionally, he asked the government to provide a clear timetable on the implementation of the "raft of parliamentary and constitutional reforms", that require urgency to prevent becoming "just spin".
Dennis MacShane (Lab, Rotherham) highlighted the serious closures in the steel industry that had occurred through the economic downturn.
He called for temporary bridging help to ensure that when the recovery does begin, the UK will not be importing steel.
Barry Sheerman (Lab, Huddersfield) chairman of the children, schools and families select committee called for a "full debate" on some of the proposals for constitutional form, in particular the lowering of the voting age.
He said that although "very fashionable" to bring down the voting age, it would hold implications for childhood.
"Becoming an adult at 16, losing all the protections of Every Child Matters and the five outcomes is a very serious challenge," he explained.
"And I believe we must not move in this direction and imperil childhood and children and truncate childhood unless seriously deliberating the issue."
Harman stated she believes there is a "strong case" for voting at 16, although she appreciated that some people do not believe this is the case.
She added that citizenship education in schools could work well in encouraging voting, stating "it's like out of the classroom, into the polling station".
Raising the issue of the Tube strike, Andrew Dismore (Lab, Hendon) suggested Mayor of London Boris Johnson had "interfered" in discussions that prevented the strike from going ahead.
He stated: "There's a real suspicion that the Mayor of London's fingers are all over the provocation of this dispute."
The Commons leader said that the mayor should work to bring "all sides together" to ensure the transport network is in full service, not for "megaphone diplomacy" from either side.
She added: "What we need is a proper public transport system."
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