David Jones, MP

Yesterday was probably the last day but one on the Marine and Coastal Access Bill committee.  It has sat so far for four days, or some 18 hours; by the standards of major Bill committees, this is pretty quick.  With a fair wind, we’ll finish on Tuesday.

Sitting on a Bill committee takes over a good chunk of an MP’s life. This one has certainly taken over mine.  Not only is there the time spent sitting on the committee itself, there is also a long period of preparation, reading the Bill and its explanatory notes cover to cover, reading background materials (including, in the case of the Marine Bill, the debates in the House of  Lords)  and attending briefings given by ministerial teams and interest groups.  And, in the case of the Marine Bill, there are an awful lot of interest groups.

It is, in short, extremely hard work.  It monopolises time that would normally be spent on other parliamentary and constituency business, so it invariably results in even longer working weeks.  It is also relatively unseen and almost entirely unsung.

It is, however, an essential part of the parliamentary process.  Proper scrutiny in committee refines our legislation, improving already good Bills and focusing attention on the deficiencies of bad ones.

Constituents often ask me, disapprovingly, why the chamber is sometimes almost empty.  What do MPs get up to all day long?   Maybe, especially at the height of the expenses hue and cry, you have even wondered that yourselves.

Next time you do, please remember the people working quietly away on committees.   They are the real parliamentary heroes.