The Backbench Business Committee has been running since 2010. It gives MPs a chance to suggest debates outside the usual ways. These debates are sometimes held in the Commons chamber or in the rooms around Westminster Hall. It is also the way body that decides which e-petitions (over 100,000 signatures) go to debate.
Remember:
- The Backbench Business Committee is just one way that British governments have responded to recent political scandals that have undermined the credibility of British democracy over the last 15 years, such as the cash for questions (vid), cash for honours and the expenses scandal.
- The Backbench Business Committee is given slots of time by the government. No time given = no MP say on debates. The government still has ultimate control here, but the coalition who created the committee is clearly trying to appear to be giving more say to backbench MPs and to respond more to public demands for debate.
- E-petitions with 100,000 or 50 million signature DO NOT have to be debated. There is no law that says they have to be. It is still up to the committee, and they have limited time given over to them by the government.
- These debates do not lead to a change in law.
- It is not a Select Committee, as it doesn't follow the work of a particular government department.
What's wrong with adjournment debates?
The usual way of MPs getting a debate is through adjournment debates - but these are at the end of the Parliamentary day, poorly attended and with a low reputation. The Backbench Business Committee was created to give MP and public choices for debate a higher profile.
