Government policy announcements

The Ministerial Code states that when Parliament is in Session, the most important Ministerial announcements should be made in Parliament. However there have been occasions when, for whatever reason, announcements have not been delivered in Parliament first. Often in such cases the Speaker has made a statement to the House deprecating what has happened and sometimes calling on the minister concerned to account for his/her actions.

This note sets out the relevant rules and statements by the Speaker on the matter and also summarises points made in debates on the subject. The present Government has argued that it has a strong record of compliance with the principle but that the issue is not always clear-cut. It has opposed attempts to introduce a protocol enforceable by sanctions.

The Parliamentary Information List, SN/PC/5647, Speakers’ Statements on Ministerial Policy Announcements made outside the House provides further examples.