Greg Mulholland – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Leader of the House

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Greg Mulholland on 2015-10-15.

To ask the Leader of the House, if he will bring forward proposals to allow the online tabling and signing of Early Day Motions.

Chris Grayling

This issue was considered in the last Parliament by the House of Commons Procedure Committee in its first report of Session 2013-14 (HC189). The Committee considered whether to recommend the adoption of an e-tabling system, but concluded that it was not appropriate for EDMs to be tabled electronically unless significantly stronger authentication than was then required for parliamentary questions could be guaranteed. However, it did recognise that there might be benefits in allowing MPs to add their signatures to EDMs electronically.

Following the closure of the savings programme, the House authorities continue to consider how they can improve effectiveness and drive innovation, including in the area of electronic delivery of services.

I suggest that the Honourable Gentleman raises the issue with the Procedure Committee.