Explain 2 Strengths of Departmental select committees (2)

Question 1

One strength of departmental select committee (1)

Answer 1

• One strength of departmental select committees is after extending their work through the wright reform, they can now seek to inquire into matters of public interest and not just on the performance of the government department.
• This is a strength as recommendations made in these committee reports can influence government policy with an estimate of 30-40% of these committee recommendations ending up in government policy.

Question 2

One strength of departmental select committee (2)

Answer 2

• Departmental select committee reports are presented to the whole house of commons and usually receive publicity allowing there to be greater accountability,
• for example during the 2017-2019 parliament, departmental select committees held 3121 formal meetings and produced 757 reports.

Question 3

Second Strength of departmental select committee (1)

Answer 3

• A second strength is that they have the power to summon witnesses and examine papers and restricted documents.
  Departmental Select committee hearings allow ministers and other witnesses to be asked detailed questions that are often featured on Tv news broadcasts that provides effective scrutiny as they receive high publicity.
• This is a strength as with media coverage it encourages departmental select committee members to engage in more meaningful questioning and scrutiny,

Question 4

Second Strength of departmental select committee (2)

Answer 4

• an example of this is Dominic Cummings who was questioned by the health and social care committee and the science and technology committee during May 2021, he revealed details that casted doubt over the government’s response to Covid-19.