Select Committees: Scrutiny and Effectiveness
Select committees are among the most effective tools Parliament has for holding the government to account. They conduct inquiries, hear evidence from witnesses, and publish reports on government policy and administration. This lesson examines how select committees work, their strengths and limitations, and their role in the broader system of parliamentary scrutiny.
What Are Select Committees?
Select committees are permanent committees of the House of Commons and House of Lords that examine specific areas of government activity. They are distinct from Public Bill Committees (which scrutinise specific bills) — select committees have a broader, ongoing remit.
Types of Select Committee
| Type | Chamber | Examples |
|---|
| Departmental select committees | Commons | Treasury Committee, Health and Social Care Committee, Defence Committee, Home Affairs Committee |
| Cross-cutting committees | Commons | Public Accounts Committee, Liaison Committee, Women and Equalities Committee |
| Lords select committees | Lords | Constitution Committee, Economic Affairs Committee, Science and Technology Committee |
| Joint committees | Both | Joint Committee on Human Rights, Joint Committee on the Draft Online Safety Bill |
Composition and Appointment
House of Commons
- Each departmental select committee mirrors a government department (e.g. the Education Committee shadows the Department for Education).
- Committees typically have 11 members, reflecting the party balance in the Commons.
- Since the Wright Committee reforms (2010), committee chairs are elected by the whole House through a secret ballot. This has significantly increased their independence and authority.
- Other members are elected by their party groups.
House of Lords
- Lords committees are less party-political and more focused on expertise.
- Members are appointed through the Committee of Selection.
- The Lords Constitution Committee is particularly influential in reviewing the constitutional implications of legislation.
Powers of Select Committees
Select committees have the power to:
- Conduct inquiries — Committees choose their own topics and conduct detailed investigations.
- Call witnesses — Committees can summon witnesses to give oral evidence, including ministers, civil servants, and external experts. However, they rely on cooperation — they cannot compel attendance, although the House has the theoretical power to do so.
- Access documents — Committees can request government documents, though the government sometimes refuses on grounds of confidentiality.
- Publish reports — Committee reports are published and often attract significant media and political attention. The government is required to respond to recommendations within 60 days.
- Hold one-off evidence sessions — Committees can hold high-profile sessions on current events (e.g. questioning ministers on the COVID-19 response).
The Wright Committee Reforms (2010)
The Wright Committee (formally the Select Committee on Reform of the House of Commons) was established in 2009 following the MPs' expenses scandal. Its recommendations, implemented in 2010, were a watershed moment for select committees:
- Chairs elected by the whole House — Previously, committee chairs were appointed by the whips, making them beholden to the party leadership. Election by the whole House gave chairs an independent mandate.
- Members elected by party groups — Reducing the whips' influence over committee composition.
- The Backbench Business Committee — Created to allocate time for debates chosen by backbenchers.
Impact: Since 2010, select committees have become more assertive, more high-profile, and more willing to challenge the government.
Case Studies of Select Committee Effectiveness
Case Study 1: The Liaison Committee and PM Testimony