Committee announce follow up inquiry into effectiveness, resources and powers

The House of Commons Liaison Committee – on which all the Chairs of select committees sit – is to hold a short inquiry to follow up the recommendations made in its 2012 report into Select committee effectiveness, resources and powers.

Drawing on reports from committees, evidence from outside observers and academic research, the 2012 report concluded that two years after the general election and the Wright reforms, the evidence was “broadly encouraging” – although committees faced some obstacles and there was room for improvement.

It called for “a changed approach” in the relationship between select committees and Government, recommending that the Government engage with it in producing joint guidelines for departments and committees, which recognised ministerial accountability, the proper role of the Civil Service and the legitimate wish of Parliament for more effective accountability. And it made a range of best practice recommendations for other Committees to consider.

The Liaison Committee has invited other committees to review how they have responded to the Committee’s recommendations and to report progress made and any obstacles encountered.

It would also welcome views from outside observers on the following questions:

• To what extent have the Committee’s best practice recommendations been met?
• Are Committees succeeding in achieving greater impact?
• What more needs to be done?
• These should be sent to the Committee before the end of November.

Rt Hon. Sir Alan Beith MP, Chair of the Liaison Committee, said:

“It is widely accepted that select committees have become much more significant in the work of Parliament, and we are keen to build on that progress by drawing on ideas from many quarters.”

The deadline for submission of evidence is 29 November 2013. More information is available on the Committee's website.