Points of Order — Select Committees—Membership, Members of the Executive

I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. I would like to ask you to give a considered ruling on the issue of members of the executive subbing on to parliamentary select committees when the select committee is considering a matter that that member of the executive has administrative responsibility for, or some delegated responsibility for, particularly when it comes to financial reviews and Estimates hearings. The purpose of those is for the non-executive members to hold the Government of the day to account and to scrutinise the actions of the Government. Whilst I accept that there are occasions when junior Ministers will sub on to a select committee to make up the numbers on the Government side, the idea that they would be substituted in on a debate on a topic that they have executive responsibility for does seem to me to undermine the basic principle that it is the non-executive members of Parliament’s job to scrutinise and hold to account members of the executive for their actions.

Mr Speaker, I am sure you will give the member’s point thorough consideration. I would just simply make the very simple point that the junior members of the executive outside Cabinet are none the less members of Parliament, and actually, given their status, they may well be able to make—[Interruption]

💬 Mr SPEAKER: Order! This is a point of order.

They may be able to help inform the debates in those select committees. [Interruption]

💬 Mr SPEAKER: Order! Can I just remind members to my left that this is a point of order.

I may be able to assist in two regards, Mr Speaker. One is that the member is, clearly, referring to my appearance this morning on the Education and Science Committee, so I make the point that really what he is talking about is parliamentary under-secretaries. The Business Committee and you have considered where the delineations lie between parliamentary under-secretaries as members of Parliament and the executive, so I think your consideration, if I could suggest it, should consider it particularly in respect of parliamentary under-secretaries. Also, I draw to your attention that Mita Ririnui was a Minister and a select committee member permanently for a long period of time under the previous Government. [Interruption]

Order! I thank all members for their contribution. It is an important matter that I will certainly have a look at, and I will come back to the House with a considered ruling.

I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. Can I also ask you to refer that decision to the Standing Orders Committee, which, without going into any detail of the consideration, is looking at related matters.

I will do so.

Battle of Messines, Centennial—Leave to Move Motion Without Notice