The Government welcomes the Committee’s recognition that the timely publication of documents and the use of written ministerial statements are an important means for keeping the House updated. However, as noted above, it is not always possible to notify the House of the most important announcements first, for example where the Government is responding to events during recess. On such occasions the Government remains committed to ensuring that the details of announcements are made available to the House at the earliest opportunity, including through written ministerial statements. 14. While the Government strives to provide the House with as much notice as possible, the current procedural requirements for written ministerial statements can sometimes create challenges for the timely release of information, particularly in fast-moving situations. Under the existing guidance, the Government must give notice of their intention to make a written statement in the House of Commons before the House rises the previous day, or by 3pm on Friday for Monday. By comparison, in the House of Lords, written statements may be made when the House is sitting by Ministers or the Senior Deputy Speaker. Notice is not required. The Government would welcome the views of the House, and specifically the Procedure Committee, on whether current notice requirements for written ministerial statements remain optimal and enable Parliament to be updated at the earliest opportunity. We are keen for the House to explore whether more flexible or modernised notice arrangements in exceptional circumstances could better facilitate the “timely and proper” use of written statements as advocated by the Committee.