Select Committees: Current Inquiries

Select Committee evidence is published as a House of Commons Paper; there is generally a delay of 4-6 weeks before the material is available. When published it is also made available on the Parliament website. All HC paper numbers shown are from the 2008-09 session unless otherwise stated. Select Committees may also publish uncorrected transcripts of Ministers' evidence on the website as soon as the transcript is available. Hard copies of Select Committee publications can be purchased from The Stationery Office, contact details are shown on the back page of this bulletin.

Select Committee publications are available to view on the Parliament website:

www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/select.htm

Further details of current Select Committee inquiries can also be found on the Parliament website:

www.parliament.uk/what_s_on/hoc_news4.cfm

Committee on Arms Export Controls
INQUIRY	STAGE & NOTES
Strategic Export Controls	Oral evidence in progress

Business and Enterprise Committee
INQUIRY	STAGE & NOTES
Automotive Assistance Program	One off oral evidence session
Creating a Higher Value-Added Economy	Report in preparation
Digital Britain	Report in preparation
Enterprise Finance Guarantee System	One off oral evidence session
Exporting out of recession	Oral evidence in progress
Financial support to SMEs	Report published on 23 March
Independent Review of the UK Postal Services Sector	Report in preparation
Post Offices - securing their future	Oral evidence in progress
PubCos	Report in preparation
The Insolvency Service	Report in preparation
Work of the Department in the current economic crises	Oral evidence in progress

Children, Schools and Families
INQUIRY	STAGE & NOTES
Child Health Strategy	Oral evidence in progress
Diversity of Schools Provision: Trust Schools	Oral evidence in progress
Early Intervention	One-off oral evidence session concluded
Early Years Foundation Stage	One-off evidence completed
Looked-after Children	Report in preparation
National Curriculum	Report to be published on 2 April
National Curriculum Tests	Oral evidence concluded
School accountability	Oral evidence in progress Next evidence session 1 April
Sustainable Schools and Building Schools for the Future	Oral evidence concluded
Teacher Training	Oral evidence in progress Evidence session on 30 March
The Protection of Children in England: Lord Laming's Progress Report	Oral evidence concluded
The work of Ofsted	Oral evidence concluded
The Work of the Department for Children, Schools and Families	Oral evidence concluded
Communities & Local Government
INQUIRY	STAGE & NOTES
Local Authority Investments	Report in preparation
The Balance of Power: Central and Local Government	Report in preparation
The Tenant Services Authority	Inquiry announced
Traditional Retail Markets	Oral evidence in progress

Culture, Media & Sport
INQUIRY	STAGE & NOTES
Commercial Operations of the BBC	Report to be published on 7 April
London 2012 Games and Paralympic Games	Continuing scrutiny
Press Standards, Privacy and Libel	Oral evidence in progress
The Future for Local and Regional Media	Inquiry announced; Deadline for written submissions 13 May
The Licensing Act 2003	Report in preparation

Defence
INQUIRY	STAGE & NOTES
Defence Support Group	Report in preparation
Helicopter capability	Inquiry announced; Deadlines for submissions 3 April
MOD Annual Report and Accounts 2007-08	Report to be published on 30 March
MOD'S performance against expenditure plans	Report in preparation
Readiness and recuperation for the contingent tasks of today	Oral evidence in progress Evidence session on 28 April
Russia: a new confrontation	Oral evidence in progress Next evidence session on 21 April
The Comprehensive Approach	Inquiry announced; Deadline for submissions on 9 May
The work of the Service Complaints Commissioner	Report in preparation
UK national security and resilience	Report in preparation

Energy and Climate Change
INQUIRY	STAGE & NOTES
The future of Britain's electricity networks	Oral evidence in progress Evidence session on 1 April
The work of the Committee on Climate Change	Oral evidence concluded
The work of the Department of Energy and Climate Change	Oral evidence concluded
UK offshore oil and gas	Oral evidence concluded

Environmental Audit
INQUIRY	STAGE & NOTES
Carbon Budgets	Inquiry announced: Deadline for submissions 27 April
Carbon budgets	Oral evidence concluded
Forests: the future role of carbon markets in their protection and the timber trade	Inquiry announced
Reducing greenhouse gas emissions from deforestation	Report in preparation
Reducing CO2 and other emissions from shipping	Report in preparation
The role of carbon markets in preventing dangerous climate change	Oral evidence in progress Evidence session on 31 March
The scientific basis for carbon reduction targets	Oral evidence concluded

Environmental Audit Sub-Committee
INQUIRY	STAGE & NOTES
Environmental Labelling	Report published on 23 March

Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
INQUIRY	STAGE & NOTES
Defra science	Invitation to help frame inquiry
Energy efficiency and fuel poverty (HC 1099, Session 2007-08 - publication of written evidence)	Report in preparation
Flooding: the Government's response to Sir Michael Pitt's review	Report in preparation
Notifiable Animal Diseases Observatory	Continuing scrutiny
Ofwat's price review 2009	Inquiry announced: Deadline for submissions closed
Securing food supplies up to 2050: the challenges for the UK	Oral evidence in progress Evidence sessions on 30 March and 1 April
Waste Strategy for England 2007	Report in preparation

European Scrutiny
INQUIRY	STAGE & NOTES
Commission Communication: The impact of the free movement of workers in the context of EH enlargement	Report in preparation

Foreign Affairs
INQUIRY	STAGE & NOTES
Developments in the European Union	Oral evidence in progress
Global Security: Afghanistan	Oral evidence in progress Next evidence session on 21 April

Global Security: The Middle East	Oral evidence concluded
Global Security: Non-Proliferation	Report in preparation
Health
INQUIRY	STAGE & NOTES
Alcohol	Oral evidence in progress Evidence session on 23 April
Operating Framework for the NHS in England	Oral evidence in progress
Patient Safety	Report in preparation
Public Expenditure on Health and Personal Social Services 2008	Oral evidence in progress
Top-up fees	Report in preparation

Home Affairs
INQUIRY	STAGE & NOTES
Draft Citizenship & Immigration Bill	Oral evidence concluded
Human Trafficking	Report in preparation
Immigration Issues	One-off oral evidence session concluded
Knife Crime	Oral evidence concluded
Managing Migration: Points-Based System	Oral evidence in progress
Police Authorities	Oral evidence concluded
Policing Process of Home Office leak inquiries	Report in preparation
The rights of Gurkhas to settle in the UK	Oral evidence concluded
Wheel Clamping on Private Land	Inquiry announced
The work of the Home Office	Oral evidence concluded

Home Affairs Sub-Committee
INQUIRY	STAGE & NOTES
Project CONTEST: The Government's Counter-Terrorism Strategy	Oral evidence in progress

Joint Committee on Human Rights
INQUIRY	STAGE & NOTES
Children's Rights	Oral evidence in progress
Counter-terrorism policy and human rights (CTP)	Continuing scrutiny
Immigration and Human Rights	Oral evidence in progress
Legislative Scrutiny	Continuing scrutiny
Policing and Protest	Report published on 23 March
UK Legislation relating to Genocide, Torture and related offences	Written evidence invited: Deadline for submissions closed
UN Convention Against Torture (UNCAT): allegations of abuse and mistreatment involving UK agents in Pakistan	Oral evidence in progress


Innovation, Universities, Science & Skills
INQUIRY	STAGE & NOTES
Engineering (incorporating Plastic Electronics, Nuclear, Geo-Engineering and Engineering in Government case studies)	Report to be published on 27 March
Putting Science and Engineering at the Heart of Government Policy	Oral evidence in progress Evidence session on 1 April
Science and Technology Facilities Council	One-off oral evidence concluded
Science Question Time	Oral evidence in progress
Students and Universities	Oral evidence in progress Next evidence to be held in Oxford on 30 March
Technology Strategy Board	One-off oral evidence session on 1 April

International Development
INQUIRY	STAGE & NOTES
Aid Under Pressure: Support for Development Assistance in Global Economic Downturn (incorp: Financing for Development)	Oral evidence in progress Next evidence session on 31 March
DFID's Programme in Nigeria	Inquiry to be resumed
Financing for Development	One-off oral evidence session concluded
Sustainable Development in a Changing Climate	Oral evidence in progress Next session 29 April
Urbanisation and Poverty	Inquiry announced: Deadline for written submissions for evidence on 24 April

Justice
INQUIRY	STAGE & NOTES
Devolution: A Decade On	Report in preparation
Draft Sentencing Guidelines	Continuing scrutiny; call for evidence on the Fraud Guideline, deadline 23 April
Justice Reinvestment	Report in preparation
Legal Services Board	Oral evidence concluded
Office for Criminal Justice Reform	One-off oral evidence session concluded
The Role of the Prison Officer	Oral evidence in progress Next evidence session on 31 March
The work of the Criminal Cases Review Commission	One-off oral evidence session concluded
The work of the Crown Prosecution Service	Report in preparation


Liaison
INQUIRY	STAGE & NOTES
Matters relating to select committees	Continuing scrutiny
Northern Ireland Affairs
INQUIRY	STAGE & NOTES
Cross-border co-operation	Oral evidence in progress
Northern Ireland Rights Bill	Oral evidence concluded
Omagh: 10 years on	Oral evidence in progress
The Consultative Group on the Past	Oral evidence in progress Next evidence session on 1 April

Procedure
INQUIRY	STAGE & NOTES
Written Parliamentary Questions	Report in preparation

Public Accounts
INQUIRY	STAGE & NOTES
Animal Health	Report in preparation
Assessment of the Capability Reviews Programme	One-off oral evidence session postponed
Building schools for the future	Report in preparation
Central government's management of service contracts	Report in preparation
Crown Courts Administration	Report in preparation
Data loss at HM Revenue and Customs	Report in preparation
DEFRA Single Payment Scheme: follow-up	Report in preparation
Department for International Development: CDC - Investing to reduce poverty	One-off oral evidence session announced
DoH/NHS: End of life care	Report in preparation
DWP: Complaint handling	Report published 26 March
Financial Management in the NHS: Report on the NHS Summarised accounts 2007/08	Report in preparation
HMRC: The Control and facilitation of imports	Report in preparation
HMRC Standard Report	Report published 24 March
Independent Police Complaints Commission	Report in preparation
Leaving the Services	Report in preparation
Maintaining the Occupied Royal Palaces	Report in preparation
Major Projects Report 2008	Report in preparation
Management of Asylum Applications by the UK Border Agency	Report in preparation
Management of tax debt/EDS	Report in preparation
Managing change in operational PFI projects	Report in preparation
MoD: Renewal of the nuclear deterrent	Report in preparation
Natural England's Role in Improving the Condition of Sites of Special Scientific Interest	Report in preparation
Northern Rock	One-off oral evidence session on 30 March
Rail Franchising	Report in preparation
Pay modernisation in the NHS: Agenda for change	Report in preparation
Planning for Homes	Report in preparation
Radio Production Efficiency at the BBC	Report in preparation
Securing Host Nation Sporting Success in 2012	Report in preparation
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency's Programme	Postponed
The Warm Front Scheme	Report in preparation
Type 45 Destroyer	Report in preparation
Use of office property by government departments	Report in preparation

Public Administration
INQUIRY	STAGE & NOTES
Charities & Public Benefit	Oral evidence concluded
Executive pay in the Public Sector	Oral evidence in progress
Good Government	Report in preparation
Leaks and Whistleblowing in Whitehall	Oral evidence in progress Next session on 2 April
Outside appointments in the Senior Civil Service	Oral evidence in progress

Regulatory Reform
INQUIRY	STAGE & NOTES
Draft Legislative Reform (Minor Variations to Premises Licences and Club Premises Certificates) Order 2009	Laid 26 March
Themes and Trends in Regulatory Reform	Oral evidence in progress Evidence session on 28 April

Scottish Affairs
INQUIRY	STAGE & NOTES
Banking in Scotland	Oral evidence in progress
Credit Unions in Scotland	Oral evidence concluded
Crisis in Scottish press industry	Oral evidence in progress Next evidence session on 31 March
Commission on Scottish Devolution	Oral evidence concluded
Enforcement of the national Minimum Wage	Oral evidence in progress
Equality and Human Rights Commission in Scotland	One-off oral evidence session concluded
Implications for the Scottish economy of the current economic climate	One-off oral evidence concluded
Scotland and the European Union	Oral evidence in progress


Transport
INQUIRY	STAGE & NOTES
Department for Transport Annual Report 2008	Report in preparation
Rail fares and franchises	Report in preparation
School Travel	Report published on 22 March
Taxes and charges on road users	Report in preparation
The effects of adverse weather conditions on transport in the United Kingdom	Oral evidence in progress Next evidence session on 2 April
The enforcement activities of the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA)	Report in preparation
The future of aviation	Inquiry announced: Deadline for written submissions closed
The major road network	Oral evidence in progress
Use of airspace	Oral evidence in progress Evidence sessions on 2 and 22 April

Treasury
INQUIRY	STAGE & NOTES
Banking Crises	Oral evidence concluded
Economics of Housing Market	Oral evidence concluded
Offshore Financial Centres	Oral evidence concluded
Oil Regulation	Oral evidence concluded

Treasury Sub-committee
INQUIRY	STAGE & NOTES
Evaluating the efficiency programme	Oral evidence in progress

Welsh Affairs
INQUIRY	STAGE & NOTES
Digital Inclusion in Wales	Oral evidence in progress Next evidence session on 31 March
English Language Broadcasting in Wales	Written evidence invited: Deadline for submissions 31 March
Legal Services Commission Cardiff Office	Oral evidence concluded
Ports in Wales	Written evidence invited; Deadline for submissions 1 May
Pre-legislative scrutiny of the proposed legislative competence Order in Council dealing with carers	Oral evidence concluded
Pre-legislative scrutiny of the proposed legislative competence Order in Council on the Welsh language	Oral evidence in progress Evidence session on 30 March
Proposed Legislative Competence Order in Council: Dealing with Vulnerable Children	Inquiry announced
Provision of cross-border public services for Wales: Health	Report published on 27 March
Provision of cross-border public services for Wales: Transport	Oral evidence concluded
The potential benefits of the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics for Wales	Report in preparation

Work & Pensions
INQUIRY	STAGE & NOTES
Autumn Performance Review	Oral evidence concluded
DWPs' response to the economic downturn and the implications for welfare reform	Oral evidence concluded
Jobcentre Plus	Oral evidence concluded
Equality Bill: What steps should DWP take to achieve greater equality?	Oral evidence concluded
The work of the DWP's inquiry into the underlying causes of construction fatalities	One-off oral evidence session concluded



© Parliamentary copyright 2009	Prepared 28 March 2009