Jack Straw (Lord Chancellor, Ministry of Justice; Blackburn, Labour)

It might help if I explain the basis on which we propose the Speaker's Committee. We took into consideration the parallel experience of the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission. I have served on that committee—as Leader of the House, I think, and certainly as Justice Secretary.

I understand the anxiety of Mr. Hogg about these committees being taken over by the Executive, but the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission is chaired by Sir Peter Viggers and is operated on a very collaborative basis. If we are talking about a Public Bill Committee on a contentious piece of legislation, then, yes, of course the Whips will influence the Committee of Selection, but for this kind of Committee, the individuals selected to serve on it do so because of their commitment to this House and, in this case, to the Electoral Commission—and it has worked extremely well. I have no reason to think that that should not also be the case here.

I do not accept what the right hon. and learned Gentleman says about Leaders of the House, and I am not just speaking for myself, but for other Leaders of the House. As I have witnessed, they have stood up for the interests of the House not just here, but inside Government—repeatedly and assiduously—as well.

We are always open to suggestions for improvement, but paragraph 1 of schedule 3 provides that of eight members, only one can be a Minister of the Crown—it would be the Leader of the House. I will give further consideration to the right hon. and learned Gentleman's suggestion to have some requirement to ensure a balance between the parties.

Question put and agreed to.

Schedule 3 agreed to.

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