Public Bill Committees

Question 1

When were public bill created

Answer 1

1800s

Question 2

What is the role of public bill committees

Answer 2

they have the role of ensuring that the legislation presented to the house of commons is passed in a form that’ll ensure its able to be successfully implemented

Question 3

How many members are in public bill committees and what do they do

Answer 3

There are 16-30 members in this committee, and they will look at each clause and consider amendments.

Question 4

How are members selected and why

Answer 4

Members are decided by the party leader and whip to ensure that possible backbench rebellions are side-lined

Question 5

What does Ad-Hoc mean

Answer 5

These committees are Ad-Hoc meaning they’re only temporary and only exist until the bill is an act of parliament.

Question 6

What are the strengths of Public Bill Committees

Answer 6

• All MPs must sit on them at one stage

- It allows a close reading of bills and amendments.

Question 7

What are the weaknesses of public bill comittees

Answer 7

• They’re temporary causing there to be less expertise, only 8% of the membership on public bill committees are taken by those who sit on the relevant departmental select committee.
• Whips control limits proper scrutiny.
• They are controlled by the guillotine motion and their timetable is determined by government causing
  government to have the ability to alter the course of a bill.
• Many MPs see these committees as a chore as the bill skips the report stage.