MPs question former Prime Minister John Major

• Video and audio: Sir John Major evidence session
• Public Administration Select Committee (PASC)

Earlier this year Sir John called for a number of reforms to the way governments are appointed. He proposed the appointment of a "small number" of ministers of state who would not be members of either the House of Commons or the House of Lords, but would be accountable to both, and a reduction in the overall number of ministers.

The Committee’s inquiry is examining how Prime Ministers have sought to bring greater expertise into government. Issues of interest to the Committee include:

• the constitutional and practical implications of appointing government ministers from outside the Commons
• whether recent ministerial appointments to the House of Lords have been a success or not
• whether such appointees are sufficiently accountable
• the case for and against appointing advisers and "tsars"
• the increasing size of government and the role of unpaid ministers