Ex-minister heads spending watchdog that sets agenda

Former Labour minister Margaret Hodge has been elected to chair the influential House of Commons spending watchdog, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC).

Backed by the investigations of the National Audit Office, the PAC is regarded as Westminster's most prestigious select committee, and its reports frequently set the political agenda by exposing concerns over spending by Government bodies.

Its chair is always occupied by a senior MP from the main opposition party, and former children's minister Ms Hodge fought off challenges from Labour colleagues Michael Meacher, Iain Wright, York MP Hugh Bayley and Brian Donohoe to claim one of the most high-profile backbench jobs in the Commons.

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She was among 16 backbenchers who won the first contested elections to select committee chairs, which took place yesterday as part of reforms to reduce parliamentary patronage.

Previously chairmen have emerged from a behind-the-scenes process that was heavily influenced by party whips.

Taking charge of a select committee gives backbenchers the opportunity to grill ministers and officials in extended evidence sessions and to draw up detailed reports which help shape the political agenda. They also receive a pay supplement of nearly 15,000.

Other victors included Conservative Andrew Tyrie, who becomes chair of the Treasury Committee, former health secretary Stephen Dorrell, who heads the Health Committee and Labour's Keith Vaz, who retains his position as chair of the Home Affairs Committee.

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The results of the elections were announced by Speaker John Bercow in a statement to the House of Commons.

Others elected in yesterday's secret ballot of MPs included Labour's Adrian Bailey, who saw off a challenge from the veteran former education committee chair Huddersfield MP Barry Sheerman to win the chair of the Business, Innovation and Skills Committee.

Beverley and Holderness MP Graham Stuart won the chairmanship of the Children, Schools and Families select committee, which he was a member of before the election.

An attempt by newly-elected Tiverton and Honiton MP Neil Parish to take up the chairmanship of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

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Committee just a month after joining the Commons failed, as he was defeated by Thirsk and Malton MP Anne McIntosh.

Later MPs were told they would be given the chance to approve the establishment of a committee on backbench business next Tuesday.

The committee will eventually determine the business to be taken on 35 days in the Commons.