Committees

A large part of the work of the House of Commons and the House of Lords takes place in committees, made up of MPs or Lords. These committees consider policy issues, scrutinise the work and expenditure of the government, and examine proposals for primary and secondary legislation. Select committees (see below) operate largely by an investigative process, while legislative committees operate mainly by debate.

Select Committee news

Backbench debate on Welsh Affairs

Backbench Business Committee schedules debate on St.David's Day

Committees A-Z

Select Committee publications

Inquiries A-Z

New Inquiries Date announced
Post-Legislative Scrutiny of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 01.03.2012
European Regional Development Fund 28.02.2012
Youth unemployment and the Government’s Youth Contract 28.02.2012
Afghanistan 23.02.2012
Local Government Ombudsman 20.02.2012

What's on

Friday 2 March 2012

House of Commons

Main Chamber

Time Business
Business

The House is not expected to sit today
Legislation - Mr Philip Hollobone

Sentencing (Reform) Bill - Second reading - Mr Philip Hollobone
Legislation - John McDonnell

Lawful Industrial Action (Minor Errors) Bill - Second reading (Day 2) - John McDonnell

Westminster Hall

Date Business

No business announced

General Committee

Date Business

No business announced

Select Committee

House of Lords

Select Committee publications

Related information

Select committees

Both Houses establish select committees to conduct inquiries and to produce reports on a range of matters, from the conduct of Government to specialist subject areas. Information on their work can be found on the select committee page.

Legislative committees

Both Houses refer legislation to committees for detailed discussion and approval. These committees are part of the process of making laws and include public bill committees, delegated legislation committees and committees on private bills. There is more in Bills and Legislation.

Other committees

Some other committees are established either by statute of either House, with a range of specific functions. These committees can be found through Committees A-Z.

Guides to committees

The About Parliament section of our site provides information on the types of Parliamentary committees and their work.

Select Committees Film

This short film explains the role and impact of select committees, their membership, how they conduct inquiries, what it's like to be a witness and how you can get involved.

Independent review of the incident at the Culture, Media and Sport Committee

List of recommendations in the independent review of the incident at the Culture, Media and Sport Committee on 19 July 2011, together with progress report on implementation as at 17 October 2011

List of recommendations in the independent review