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| MPs query non-political ministers | MPs query non-political ministers |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The practice of ennobling people from outside Parliament in order to make them ministers should be "exceptional", a cross-party group of MPs has said. | The practice of ennobling people from outside Parliament in order to make them ministers should be "exceptional", a cross-party group of MPs has said. |
| The Public Administration Committee (PASC) says such appointments should be given "proper scrutiny" by the Commons. | The Public Administration Committee (PASC) says such appointments should be given "proper scrutiny" by the Commons. |
| Prime Minister Gordon Brown has brought in 10 non-political figures, including a former CBI head and an ex-admiral. | Prime Minister Gordon Brown has brought in 10 non-political figures, including a former CBI head and an ex-admiral. |
| The MPs also criticised the appointment of "tsars" - un-elected advisers who take the lead on certain policies. | The MPs also criticised the appointment of "tsars" - un-elected advisers who take the lead on certain policies. |
| On becoming prime minister, Mr Brown said he would build a government of all the talents, appointing outsiders as ministers. | On becoming prime minister, Mr Brown said he would build a government of all the talents, appointing outsiders as ministers. |
| Since then the figures he has brought in have included a former diplomat, a surgeon, three ex-businessmen, and a former head of the Royal Navy. | Since then the figures he has brought in have included a former diplomat, a surgeon, three ex-businessmen, and a former head of the Royal Navy. |
| The committee said a short period as a minister should not lead to a permanent seat in the House of Lords. | The committee said a short period as a minister should not lead to a permanent seat in the House of Lords. |
| It said fresh blood can reinvigorate a government, but the appointments could also be seen as undemocratic as they are not elected and cannot be questioned in the Commons. | It said fresh blood can reinvigorate a government, but the appointments could also be seen as undemocratic as they are not elected and cannot be questioned in the Commons. |
| The committee also expressed its unease at the growing number of so-called tsars - appointees who become the public face of a policy or cause. | |
| The MPs said there is no formal appointments procedure. | The MPs said there is no formal appointments procedure. |
| Tony Wright MP, who chairs the committee, said: "The appointment of ministers from outside Parliament has brought some very successful ministers into government. | Tony Wright MP, who chairs the committee, said: "The appointment of ministers from outside Parliament has brought some very successful ministers into government. |
| "However, the increasing numbers of such appointments cannot be considered in isolation from the wider constitutional position." | "However, the increasing numbers of such appointments cannot be considered in isolation from the wider constitutional position." |
| He went on to say appointments from outside Parliament "should be exceptional, subject to proper scrutiny by the elected House of Commons, and a short period as a minister should not lead to a title and seat in the legislature for life". | He went on to say appointments from outside Parliament "should be exceptional, subject to proper scrutiny by the elected House of Commons, and a short period as a minister should not lead to a title and seat in the legislature for life". |