Speaker looking into new ways to ‘scrutinise’ work of foreign secretary Lord Cameron

In a statement to the House of Commons before the beginning of business this afternoon, Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle told MPs that new ways were being looked at to properly “scrutinise” the work of David Cameron.

Lord Cameron is the new foreign secretary, and will not be able to attend commons business as he is not an MP. He will instead be subject to scrutiny and questioning in the House of Lords. 

Sir Lindsay said: “This is not the first time in recent years that a cabinet Minister has been appointed in the House of Lords. But given the gravity of the current international situation, this is especially important that this House is able to scrutinise the work of the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office effectively”.

David Cameron’s shock appointment today as foreign secretary makes him just the second former prime minister since the second world war to return to cabinet.

Cameron’s only post-war forebear is Alec Douglas-Home, prime minister from 1963 to 1964. He also became foreign secretary, serving under Edward Heath from 1970 to 1974.

William Hague, who served as leader of the Conservative Party from 1997 to 2001, returned as David Cameron’s foreign secretary.

Sir Iain Duncan-Smith, who served as leader of the Conservative Party from 2001 to 2003, served as secretary of state for work and pensions from 2010 to 2016 — also under David Cameron.