2
Accepted
Uncertainty surrounds appetite for new House Protocol on ministerial statements
Conclusion
Ministerial accountability to Parliament is well established irrespective of its inclusion in the Ministerial Code. Nevertheless, it is uncertain whether there is a current appetite to replicate the principles in relation to ministerial statements in the form of a new House Protocol. We note that a proposal for such a Protocol was rejected by the House when put to it for decision in a previous Parliament. (Conclusion, Paragraph 13) Is the general principle in the Ministerial Code clear and adequate?
Government Response Summary
The government agrees that the General Principle in Chapter 9 of the Ministerial Code should be broadened to reflect ministerial accountability principles from Chapter 1, and commits to updating the language at the next available opportunity.
Government Response
Accepted
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
The Government agrees that the wording of the ‘General Principle’ in Chapter 9 should be broadened to reflect the principles of ministerial accountability to Parliament which are already set out in Chapter 1 of the Ministerial Code. These principles mirror those contained in the House of Commons Resolution on Ministerial Accountability, which was agreed by the House on 19 March 1997 (Official Report columns 1046–47). We agree that the description of ministerial accountability should be consistent throughout the document to ensure there is no ambiguity regarding the expectations placed upon Ministers. The Government will look to update the language in Chapter 9 of the Ministerial Code to reflect the definition established in Chapter 1 at the next available opportunity.
Source
Report
4th Report - Ministerial Statements and the Ministerial Code
09 Jan 2026
HC 1036
Timeline
Recommendation age
0.6 yr
Report published
09 Jan 2026