What is the work of select committees? Flashcards
- When and who introduced select committees?
- They were introduced at the beginning of the Thatcher government in 1979, by Norman St John Stevas, who was Leader of the House.
- Are there select committees for each government department?
- Yes, they scrutinise the policy, administration and spending of each government department.
- What are some examples of non-departmental select committees?
- The Public Accounts Committee, the Liaison Committee and the Committee on Standards.
- What does the Public Accounts Committee do?
- They examine government expenditure and seek to insure that value for money is being obtained.
- What does the Liaison Committee do?
- It consists of the chairs of all the select committees, and they question the prime minister twice a year across the whole field of government policy.
- What does the Committee on Standards do?
- They oversee the work of the parliamentary commissioner, who is charge of regulating MP’s conduct, including their financial affairs.
1a. What is the composition of a select committee?
1b. What was the composition of the Education Select Committee in 2015.
1a. Each has a minimum of 11 backbench MPs. The composition of select committees reflects party strength in the Commons.
1b. It was chaired by Conservative MP Neil Carmichael, and out of the 10 other members, 5 were Conservatives, 4 were Labour and 1 was a member of the SNP.
- How did a reform in 2010 change the way chairs are elected?
- Chairs are now elected by their fellow MPs, rather than by party whips. They are chosen by secret ballot within party groups.
1a. Through what means can a select committee obtain evidence, that could be used to scrutinise the government?
1b. How quickly must the government respond to their report?
1a. They can gather written and oral evidence, and can also summon witnesses, such as ministers, civil servants, experts and members of the public with a relevant interest. They can also appoint specialist advisers.
1b. Within 2 months.
1a. Why is the work of select committees respected and greatly influential?
1b. Give an example of an issue of public interest, which they have raised:
1a. This is because it is evidence-based, and hearings are televised and reported on in the media.
1b. The Transport Select Committee, held Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin to account for the controversy relating to the West Coast Main Line rail franchise in 2012.
- How have the powers of select committees been widened?
- They have the power to scrutinise legislation.
1a. What involvement do select committees have in the appointment of candidates for public roles?
1b. Give an example of what a select committee can do if they don’t like a certain candidate:
1a. They hold pre-appointment hearings.
1b. The Treasury Select Committee can veto the chancellor of the exchequer’s choice, for the head of the Office for Budget Responsibility.
- Can longer-serving members be more useful than ministers, in a particular area of policy?
- Yes, this is as a result of ministers only staying in government for 2 or 3 years.
1a. What is considered an alternative career path to the ministerial ladder?
1b. How is Margaret Hodge an example of someone who has chosen this alternate career path.
1a. Being the chair of a select committee, many also become considerable public figures.
1b. She was chair of the Public Accounts Select Committee from 2010 to 2015, and has said that she had more influence in this position than as a minister.
- Give an example of how select committees can have a direct impact on government policy:
- In 2014 the Home Office took the Passport Office back under ministerial control, in response to a critical report by the Home Affairs Select Committee. The chief executive of the Passport Office was criticised for a large backlog in applications.
