Introduction
1. In March 2009 the Liaison Committee wrote to us,
requesting that we consider the tabling of amendments by select
committees.[1] This approach
followed discussion in that Committee of a proposal, put forward
by the Chairman of the Joint Committee on Human Rights, Andrew
Dismore MP, that select committees should be permitted to table
amendments to Bills in the Commons in their own name. Current
practice is that amendments agreed by a Committee can only be
tabled by individual Members. Mr Dismore argued that "This
could make it difficult to distinguish amendments which have been
agreed and published by the Committee from those tabled by our
Members in their individual capacities, particularly in the Commons
where the pressure on debating time is most intense".[2]
2. Our preliminary assessment was that there could
be merit in the idea. We therefore sought further advice from
the Chairman of Ways and Means and from the Clerk of Bills in
the House of Commons. We then sought the views of the Leader
of the House and of the Liaison Committee on what guidance should
be issued on the process by which select committees could table
amendments. Members of the Chairmen's Panel were also invited
to contribute to this inquiry. We are grateful to all who responded.
All written evidence received is printed with this short Report.
1 Ev 1 Back
2
Ev 1 Back
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