E-petitions for MPs investigated

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MPs are to hold an inquiry into whether Parliament could use e-petitions to better connect with voters.

Written petitions are presented by an MP, but while Downing Street has its own e-petition system, there is not one for the House of Commons.

The Commons procedure committee heard during a previous inquiry that the current system made it difficult for MPs to submit online signatures.

Its new inquiry will look into costs, rule changes needed and other issues.

Concerns that a failure to embrace online petitions could distance MPs from the public were raised during a previous inquiry into public petitions and early day motions.

Topics for debate

Shadow Commons leader Theresa May told MPs that current procedures had prevented her from presenting a 960-signature online petition.

However, Tory MP Bob Spink said he had found a way around the system by adding a written front page to a 6,000-name online petition.

In its response to that inquiry in July, the government supported in principle the idea of an e-petitioning system for the Commons, but said more work would be needed on the "practical and procedural implications".

It has been suggested e-petitions could be used to put forward topics for debate in the House of Commons.

The procedure committee will look at how best to maintain the link between an MP and an e-petition, how to get people to use the system, if any changes to the Commons rules on petitions are needed and what the "timing and resource implications" of the system might be.

It will also examine how e-petitions could improve the way MPs connect with the public.