Learning from other parliaments Study Program 2006

General

• Parliamentary scrutiny of legislation particularly by the use of committees;
• Parliamentary scrutiny of government particularly by the use of question time (equivalents)
• The involvement of members in the administration of parliaments (including Bureaux and Commissions]
• The role of procedural “reform” in precedent bound institutions
• Opportunities for private members
• Arrangements for the opening of parliament

United Kingdom

House of Commons:

• Meeting with the Modernisation Committee to discuss role and function; reform agenda; approaches to procedural reform
• Meeting with Procedure Committee to discuss approaches to the standing orders; role of the Procedure Committee ; recent activities
• Westminster Hall – role and prospects for development
• Prime Minister’s Question Time
• Scrutiny of legislation – approaches; methods; outcomes
• Parliamentary committees – structure and staffing; role of non-members; e-consultations
• Arrangements for opening day including election of Speaker
• Management of business before the House – programming;
• Role of Speaker – particularly in the chamber - rulings; points of order; dissents;
• The security environment - impact on Members, staff and public.

House of Lords:

• Structural reform and future prospects for reform
• Lords’ committee system

Parliament of Scotland :

• Developing procedures for new functions
• Petitioning the Parliament (including e-petitions)
• Public info rmation
• Electronic voting
• Use of technology in parliaments
• Committee system
• Conduct of question time

Tynwald ( Isle of Man ):

• Role of Legislative Council, House of Keys and Tynwald Court
• History of the Tynwald and impact of its legacy on other parliaments
• Approaches to balancing tradition and relevance to current values and expectations - extent to which the balance is reflected in the standing orders
• Maintenance of the standing orders
• Jurisdiction of the Tynwald
• The open air meeting tradition – current status
• Opening day ceremonies

Welsh National Assembly

• Evolution of the Assembly and role/function
• Use of technology (the “paperless chamber”)
• Public info rmation

• Electronic voting

French National Assembly

• Overview of the presidential system
• Adapting procedures to changing political circumstances
• Electronic voting
• Arrangements for the election of Presiding Officer
• Arrangements for special committees to consider legislation (government and members)
• scrutiny of the executive
• the concept of a parliamentary bureau