Scrutiny UK Flashcards
Select Committees
Small groups of a minimum of 11 MPs each examine and scrutinise a specific aspect of government work. Select committees for health, defence, foreign affairs etc. MPs are elected to committees and places are elected on the size of the party, so government will always have the most MPs on committees. Select committees have the power to call experts to explain actions or give evidence eg Russel Brand gave evidence to a select committee about drug rehabilitation.
Lords and Joint Committees
The four major lords committees hold investigations on science and technology, economic affairs, the UK constitution and the work of the EU (they focus on subject areas). Lords select committees are able to draw upon the expertise of members of the upper house. Joint committees consist of both Lords and MPs and have similar powers, although some are permanent like the joint committee on human rights.
Standing Committees
Standing committees consider bills after the 2nd reading. They go through the bills in detail. This allows considerable scrutiny of government policy as the committees can suggest considerable changes to a bill. eg they consider 250 bills a year.
