The Record Review

Could peers face questions in the Commons?

Transport Secretary Lord Adonis faced a special select committee session this week aimed at giving MPs a chance to hold to account a secretary of state who is not an MP.

Because peers like Lord Adonis and Lord Mandelson cannot enter the Commons, the Transport Committee meeting was arranged as a compromise.

But in future Lords may answer questions from MPs in the House of Commons itself, a proposal that does not find favour with every MP.

The Record Review's Andrew Wilson asked Labour backbench MP David Winnick why he is opposed to the proposals before Alicia McCarthy spoke to:

• Dr Ruth Fox, director of the Parliament and Government programme at the Hansard Society

• Lord Hunt of Wirral, Conservative business, innovation and skills spokesman in the Lords

• Lord McNally, Liberal Democrat leader in the House of Lords

An end to the expenses saga?

The Daily Mirror's James Lyons

The main topic of conversation in Westminster this week was the long-awaited publication of the Kelly Review into MPs' expenses.

Sir Christopher Kelly made a number of recommendations, including banning the employment of spouses and ending the payment of mortgage interest.

The Daily Mirror's political correspondent James Lyons gave us his take on the issue.

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