CHAPTER 11
SELECT COMMITTEES
11.01 The House may appoint committees to perform
functions on its behalf. All committees whose members are appointed
("named of the committee") by the House from among its
members are select committees~~.[514]
11.02 A select committee is appointed by "orders
of appointment" setting out the committee's remit ("orders
of reference"), powers and membership. Typically, a committee
fulfils its remit by making one or more reports to the House.
11.03 A committee may be appointed to perform
a particular task, on completion of which the committee ceases
to exist (an "ad hoc select committee").~ Alternatively
a new committee may be appointed for a specified period. A committee
may be given continuing existence by being reappointed session
by session (a "sessional select committee"); but the
continued existence of such committees may be reviewed, particularly
at the start of a Parliament.[515]
This chapter concludes with a list of the committees currently
reappointed session by session, with notes on each.
Motions of appointment
11.04 A committee being set up for the first
time is usually appointed by a two-stage process. This varies
depending on whether the appointment of the committee is recommended
in a report of the Liaison Committee. If so, approval of that
report by the House is taken to be approval of the principle of
the establishment of the committee. If the appointment of the
committee has not been recommended by the Liaison Committee (as
with certain pre-legislative scrutiny committees, for example),
the Leader of the House first moves a motion that it is expedient
to appoint the committee. This motion sets the proposed orders
of reference, gives the House an opportunity to discuss the desirability
of setting up the new committee, and authorises the Committee
of Selection to select members. In either case, a second motion
is then moved, by the Chairman of Committees, to complete the
orders of appointment. Such motions require notice, and may be
debated and amended.
11.05 The "sessional committees~" are:
· Administration
and Works Committee
· Consolidation
Bills Committee (Joint)
· Communications
Committee
· Constitution
Committee
· Delegated
Powers and Regulatory Reform Committee
· Economic
Affairs Committee
· European
Union Committee
· House
Committee
· Human
Rights Committee (Joint)
· Hybrid
Instruments Committee
· Information
Committee
· Liaison
Committee
· National
Security Strategy Committee (Joint)
· Committee
for Privileges and Conduct
· Procedure
Committee
· Refreshment
Committee
· Science
and Technology Committee
· Secondary
Legislation Scrutiny Committee
· Standing
Orders (Private Bills) Committee
· Statutory
Instruments Committee (Joint)
· Works
of Art Committee.
11.06 For a sessional select committee, the orders
of appointment are made on a single motion. The Chairman of Committees
may, at the beginning of a new session, move en bloc the
motions appointing select committees, deputy chairmen and other
bodies nominated by the Committee of Selection~. Notice is given
by means of an italic note in House of Lords Business informing
the House that, unless any Lord objects, the motions of appointment
will be moved en bloc.[516]
Instructions~~
11.07 The House may amend, amplify or restrict
a committee's orders of reference at any time by passing an instruction,
e.g. to consider (or not to consider) a certain aspect of the
matter, to give certain parties an opportunity to give evidence,
or to report by a given date. An instruction may be mandatory
or permissive.
Membership
11.08 The Committee of Selection[517]
selects and proposes to the House the membership of select committees,
with the exception of the Committee of Selection itself and committees
on private legislation.[518]
11.09 There is no formal rule on the political
balance of committee membership,[519]
and in most cases no fixed number of members. It is desirable
for a member to serve on only one sessional investigative select
committee at any one time.[520]
11.10 The Chairman of Committees may propose
to the House, without reference to the Committee of Selection,
members of the House to fill casual vacancies on select committees.[521]
Such motions may be moved en bloc, subject to the rules
set out in paragraph 3.52.[522]
Rotation rule~~
11.11 In order to secure a regular turnover of
membership, a "rotation rule" operates in the case of
most committees, whereby members who have been appointed (or co-opted)
for three successive sessions (or parts of sessions) may not be
reappointed in the following two sessions. The three sessions
may be extended to allow a member appointed as chairman a three-session
term as chairman. Select committees apply the rotation rules to
their sub-committees.[523]
11.12 The following committees, which meet rarely,
are exempt from any rotation rule
· Joint
Committee on Consolidation etc. Bills[524]
· Committee
for Privileges and Conduct
· Standing
Orders (Private Bills) Committee
· Hybrid
Instruments Committee.
11.13 The Lord Speaker, Leaders, Chief Whips,
Deputy Chief Whips, Convenor of the Crossbench peers, Chairman
of Committees and Principal Deputy Chairman of Committees are
exempt from the rotation rule.
11.14 The rule is based on the duration of a
session being approximately 12 months. In the event of a significant
variation from this term the Committee of Selection may consider
making ad hoc adjustments.
.
Chairman~~
11.15 The chairman of a committee may be appointed
by the House on the proposal of the Committee of Selection. Otherwise
the Chairman of Committees or, in his absence, a Deputy Chairman
takes the chair.[525]
In the absence of an appointed chairman, the committee may appoint
a substitute. Alternatively, a committee may be given power to
appoint its own chairman; this is usually done only in the case
of a joint committee.
Powers~~
11.16 A select committee may be appointed to
report on a matter referred to it. When such a committee has reported,
it ceases to exist. Alternatively, a committee may be given power
to report "from time to time"i.e. more than once.
11.17 ~A committee cannot appoint sub-committees
or delegate its powers to sub-committees without an order of the
House. The maximum number of members on a sub-committee is 12,
except for the European Union Committee, for which the maximum
number is 14, or where exceptional circumstances apply.[526]
11.18 ~A committee may be given power to co-opt
other members of the House as members of the committee or of a
sub-committee.
11.19 Committees are given the power to "send
for persons, papers and records". Ordinarily witnesses attend
and documents are produced voluntarily. However, the existence
of this power means that, should it be necessary to issue a formal
summons for the attendance of witnesses or the production of papers,
the chairman may put a motion before the committee, that such
a summons be issued. The issuing of a summons is to be used as
a last resort, and only where a witness has refused repeated invitations,
and his or her evidence is vital to an inquiry in progress. Refusal
to attend in response to a formal summons would be reported to
the House as a prima facie contempt.[527]
11.20 Members or staff of the House of Commons~,
and persons outside United Kingdom jurisdiction (such as foreign
ambassadors)~, may give evidence by invitation, but cannot be
compelled to do so. If a committee desires to examine an official
of the House of Commons, a message is sent requesting the official's
attendance, and the leave of the House of Commons must be obtained.
No such messages are sent in respect of joint committees or committees
on private bills, nor in respect of members of the House of Commons.[528]
11.21 Committees on private business have authority
to hear parties by counsel~ or on oath~ but other committees do
not have this authority unless authorised to do so by the House.[529]
11.22 An order "that the minutes of evidence
taken from time to time shall, if the committee think fit, be
published" gives the committee power to publish evidence[530]~~
in advance of its report.
11.23 A committee may be given other powers including:
· power
to appoint specialist advisers~;
· power
to "adjourn from place to place", i.e. to travel~.
11.24 Select committees have the power to confer
and meet concurrently with any committee or sub-committee of the
Commons appointed to consider a similar matter.~~ Such meetings
can be held to deliberate or to take evidence. Select committees
may also give this power to sub-committees.[531]
11.25 The powers of committees of the House to
inquire into matters relating to Scotland, Wales and Northern
Ireland have not been limited formally by the devolution~ statutes.
Proceedings in committee
11.26 The quorum~~ of a committee is three, unless
the House orders otherwise. The quorum of sub-committees of the
European Union Committee and the Lords joining with the Commons
as the Joint Committees on Human Rights and Statutory Instruments
is two.
11.27 The chairman of a committee has a vote,
but not a casting vote~.
11.28 Proceedings are conducted in English. However,
the use of the Welsh language is permitted for the purpose of
committee proceedings held in Wales.[532]~
Participation by non-members~
11.29 Members of the House who are not members
of a select committee may attend and speak when evidence is being
taken; but they may not attend any meeting while the committee
deliberates, unless invited by the committee to do so, they do
not count towards the quorum, and they may not vote.[533]
Members of the House who are not members of a committee or sub-committee
do not receive papers~ on a regular basis.[534]
11.30 For the composition of the Committee for
Privileges and Conduct when hearing claims of peerage, see paragraph
11.69.
Recess, prorogation and dissolution
11.31 A committee can sit at any time during
a recess~~, but no committee may sit during prorogation~~ or dissolution.
11.32 Sessional committees, and their sub-committees,
continue in the same form, notwithstanding prorogation, until
they are reappointed in the next session~.[535]
Other committees cease to exist at prorogation. All committees
cease to exist on the dissolution~~ of Parliament.
11.33 If an ad hoc committee has not completed
its inquiry in the session in which it is appointed, it may be
appointed again in the following session~. In this case an order
may be made to refer the evidence taken before the original committee
to its successor. In the case of a sessional committee this is
unnecessary.
Report
11.34 A report~ from a committee embodies the
text agreed by the majority of the committee on the basis of a
draft presented by the chairman. Members of a committee may not
make a minority report~~. However, members who wish to express
dissent may move amendments to the chairman's draft report or
propose an alternative draft report. Amendments moved or alternative
drafts proposed are recorded in the minutes of proceedings of
the committee, together with a record of any vote. The minutes
of proceedings are published with the report whenever a difference
of opinion has been recorded in a division.[536]
Minutes of proceedings are also required to record the making
of any amendments to a bill by a select committee on a bill, whether
there is a division or not. The minutes of proceedings serve as
the authority for the making of the amendments and the reprinting
of the bill as reported.
11.35 Where a committee intends to make a personal
criticism of a named individual (other than a minister) in its
report, the committee is encouraged to consider whether to give
notice to that individual.[537]
11.36 When a committee has agreed its report,
an order is made for the report to be printed.[538]
11.37 ~A motion to debate the report of a committee
requires notice. Reports of some committees are debated on a neutral
motion to "take note" of the report. Other reports are
debated on a motion to "agree to" the report, to which
amendments may be moved. A committee report may also be debated
as the subject of a question for short debate.
11.38 The House has agreed that it is desirable
that there should be regular debates on select committee reports
in prime time.[539]
Select committee reports may also be debated in~ Grand Committee
with the concurrence of those concerned. Whether select committee
reports are debated on the floor of the House or in Grand Committee,
the debate may be time limited.[540]
11.39 The government have undertaken to respond
in writing to the reports of select committees, if possible, within
two months of publication~~.[541]
Debate takes place after the government have responded, unless
the committee wishes otherwise.[542]
11.40 There is no set time limit for government
responses to reports from the Delegated Powers and Regulatory
Reform Committee~, as these need to be made in good time for amendments
to be tabled to the bill in question. These responses are made
available to the relevant frontbenchers, and placed in the Library
of the House.[543]
11.41 A committee without leave to report from
time to time may make a special report~~ on incidental matters
relating to its powers, functions or proceedings. Committees have
used this procedure to invite evidence, or to review their own
work over a period.
Joint committees~
11.42 Joint committees of both Houses of Parliament
usually have an equal number of members from each House, but this
is a matter for arrangement between the Houses.
11.43 The standard procedure for setting up a
joint committee proposed by the Lords is as follows. A motion
is moved that it is expedient that a joint committee of both Houses
be appointed to consider some particular subject. If this is agreed
to, it is communicated by message to the Commons, with a request
for their concurrence. If the Commons agrees then a message is
returned which contains the Commons membership and orders of reference.
The House then appoints a select committee, on a proposal from
the Committee of Selection, and agrees the powers, orders of reference
and time and place of the first meeting.
11.44 An addition to the number of members of
a joint committee, or a change in its order of reference, is made
in the same way.
11.45 Leave is always given to a joint committee
to appoint its own chairman. Any power to be exercised by a joint
committee must be granted by both Houses. Except where otherwise
provided in the orders of reference, the procedure in a joint
committee is that of select committees of the House of Lords.
SESSIONAL COMMITTEES~
11.46 The following committees are usually reappointed
by the House in each new session. They fall into three categories:
first, those on public matters; second, those on private business;
finally, the "domestic" committees through which the
House regulates its internal affairs.
Committees on public matters
11.47 The chairman of these committees is nominated
by the Committee of Selection, except for the joint committees
which appoint their own chairman.
JOINT COMMITTEE ON CONSOLIDATION BILLS
11.48 This joint committee is described at paragraphs
8.209-8.210.
COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE
11.49 The committee's terms of reference are
"to consider the media and the creative industries."
CONSTITUTION COMMITTEE~
11.50 The committee's terms of reference are
to examine the constitutional implications of all public bills
coming before the House; and to keep under review the operation
of the constitution.
DELEGATED POWERS AND REGULATORY REFORM COMMITTEE~
11.51 The committee's terms of reference require
it to report "whether the provisions of any bill inappropriately
delegate legislative power, or whether they subject the exercise
of delegated power to an inappropriate degree of parliamentary
scrutiny. The committee also reports on "documents and draft
orders laid before Parliament under or by virtue of (a) sections
14 and 18 of the Legislative and Regulatory Reform Act 2006, (b)
section 7(2) or section 15 of the Localism Act 2011, or (c) section
5E(2) of the Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004; and to perform,
in respect of such draft orders, and in respect of subordinate
provisions orders made or proposed to be made under the Regulatory
Reform Act 2001, the functions performed in respect of other instruments
and draft instruments by the Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments."
Finally, the committee reports on various other documents and
draft orders subject to enhanced scrutiny procedures (see paragraphs
10.36-10.45).
11.52 The committee considers bills (except consolidation
and supply bills) after introduction, on the basis of a memorandum
from the relevant government department. The committee aims to
issue its reports before the bills are considered at committee
stage. If time allows, the committee also reports on government
amendments if these involve delegated powers.[544]
The committee has also reported on delegated powers in draft bills.[545]
ECONOMIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE~
11.53 This committee is appointed "to consider
economic affairs". The committee usually appoints a sub-committee
to examine the Finance Bill each year.[546]
The sub-committee examines tax administration, clarification and
simplification, and not the incidence or rates of tax. The sub-committee
conducts its activities with full regard to the traditional boundary
between the two Houses on fiscal policy.[547]
EUROPEAN UNION COMMITTEE~
11.54 This committee considers European Union
documents and other matters relating to the European Union. The
work of the committee is supported by the scrutiny reserve resolution
passed by the House on 30 March 2010 (see appendix L).
11.55 The chairman of the committee is the Principal
Deputy Chairman of Committees, and the Second Counsel to the Chairman
of Committees acts as its legal adviser. Reports from sub-committees
are normally agreed by the select committee, but the chairman
of the committee is authorised in urgent cases to present the
report of a sub-committee to the House on behalf of the committee.[548]
JOINT COMMITTEE ON HUMAN RIGHTS~~
11.56 The Joint Committee on Human Rights is
empowered to consider matters relating to human rights in the
United Kingdom, excluding individual cases. It also has functions
in connection with remedial orders (see paragraphs 10.22-10.25).
JOINT COMMITTEE ON THE NATIONAL SECURITY STRATEGY~~
11.57 This joint committee is appointed to consider
the National Security Strategy. It has 10 Lords members and 12
Commons members.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE~
11.58 This committee reports on subjects of its
own choosing within the fields of science and technology.
SECONDARY LEGISLATION SCRUTINY COMMITTEE~
11.59 The Secondary Legislation Scrutiny Committee
scrutinises all instruments laid before each House of Parliament
and subject to parliamentary proceedings (with certain exceptions).
In particular, it is required to draw to the special attention
of the House those instruments which are politically or legally
important or give rise to issues of public policy likely to be
of interest to the House; those which may be inappropriate in
view of the changed circumstances since the enactment of the parent
Act; those which may inappropriately implement European Union
legislation; those which may imperfectly achieve their policy
objectives; those where the explanatory material supporting the
instrument is insufficient to understand its policy objective
and intended implementation; and those where there appears to
have been inadequacies in the consultation process.[549]
The committee may conduct broader inquiries from time to time.[550]
JOINT COMMITTEE ON STATUTORY INSTRUMENTS~~~
11.60 This joint committee scrutinises delegated
legislation in certain technical and legal respects. Its terms
of reference are embodied in SO 73 and its powers in a resolution
of 16 December 1997. It does not consider the merits or policy
of delegated legislation. Under SO 72 a motion to approve an affirmative
instrument may not be moved in the House of Lords until the joint
committee has reported on the instrument.[551]
The chairman is, by practice, a member of the House of Commons.
Committees on private business
11.61 The Chairman of Committees chairs these
committees.
HYBRID INSTRUMENTS COMMITTEE~
11.62 This committee considers hybrid instruments
in accordance with private business SOs 216 and 216A. The committee
rarely meets, reflecting the fact that many bills now include
provisions exempting delegated legislation from hybrid instrument
procedure.
STANDING ORDERS (PRIVATE BILLS) COMMITTEE~
11.63 This committee considers cases referred
to it on a certificate of non-compliance, or on a special report,
from the Examiners of Petitions for Private Bills, who certify
whether in the case of a particular private bill the standing
orders have been complied with. In a case of doubt, the committee
decides whether the standing orders have been complied with. In
case of non-compliance, it reports whether the standing orders
ought to be dispensed with and, if so, on what conditions.
11.64 The parties either appear in person or
are represented by their parliamentary agents. Counsel are not
heard. In opposed cases, the quorum of the committee is three;
but in unopposed cases, the Chairman of Committees normally acts
alone.
Domestic committees
ADMINISTRATION AND WORKS COMMITTEE~
11.65 This committee is appointed to consider
administrative services, security, works and accommodation, including
works relating to security, within the strategic framework and
financial limits approved by the House Committee. It decides on
requests to make television programmes about the House. The chairman
is the Chairman of Committees.
HOUSE COMMITTEE~
11.66 This committee is appointed to set the
policy framework for the administration of the House and to provide
non-executive guidance to the Management Board; to approve the
House's strategic, business and financial plans; to agree the
annual Estimates and Supplementary Estimates; to supervise the
arrangements relating to financial support for members; and to
approve the House of Lords annual report.[552]
The Lord Speaker chairs the committee. The Chairman of Committees
is a member, and speaks for the committee in the House when presenting
its reports and answering questions on administrative matters.[553]
INFORMATION COMMITTEE~
11.67 This committee is appointed to consider
information and communications services, including the Library
and the Parliamentary Archives, within the strategic framework
and financial limits approved by the House Committee. The chairman
is nominated by the Committee of Selection.
LIAISON COMMITTEE~
11.68 This committee advises the House on the
resources required for committee work and on allocation of resources
between committees. It reviews the committee work of the House;
it considers requests for ad hoc committees~ for particular
inquiries; it seeks to ensure effective co-ordination between
the two Houses; and it considers the availability of members of
the House to serve on committees. The committee consists of 11
members of the House, including the Leaders of the three main
parties and the Convenor of the Crossbench peers or their representatives,
together with six backbenchers. The Chairman of Committees is
chairman, and the chairmen of the main investigative committees
are entitled to attend the meetings of the committee on agenda
items which concern them.
COMMITTEE FOR PRIVILEGES AND CONDUCT~
11.69 The House refers to this committee questions
regarding its privileges and claims of peerage and of precedence.
The House referred to the committee two questions of law arising
from the House of Lords Bill in 1999.[554]
The Committee for Privileges and Conduct also oversees the operation
of the Code of Conduct and Register of Lords' Interests (see Chapter
5). The committee consists of 16 members of the House, two of
whom are former holders of high judicial office.[555]
In any claim of peerage, the committee sits with three current
holders of high judicial office, who are granted the same speaking
and voting rights as the members of the committee. The chairman
is the Chairman of Committees.
11.70 ~~The Committee for Privileges and Conduct
appoints a Sub-Committee on Lords' Conduct. This sub-committee
recommends sanctions in cases where the Commissioner for Standards
has found a member to have breached the Code of Conduct; keeps
the Code and Guide under review; and may be consulted by the Registrar
of Lords' Interests where necessary.
PROCEDURE COMMITTEE~
11.71 This committee considers any proposals
for alterations in the procedure of the House that may arise from
time to time, and whether the standing orders require to be amended.
11.72 The committee is composed of the Chairman
of Committees (in the chair), the Lord Speaker, the Party Leaders
and Chief Whips, the Convenor of the Crossbench peers, three Labour
backbenchers, three Conservative backbenchers, two Liberal Democrat
backbenchers and two other Crossbenchers.[556]
11.73 The committee as named by the Committee
of Selection is supplemented by one alternate for each party group
of backbench members and one for the Crossbenchers, plus an alternate
for the Convenor. The alternates are also named by the Committee
of Selection. They receive papers, and are entitled to attend
if any of the relevant members cannot, and if necessary to vote.
11.74 The committee appoints a Leave of Absence
Sub-Committee, ~ which advises the Clerk of the Parliaments on
the operation of the leave of absence scheme. The sub-committee
is chaired by the Chairman of Committees; the other members are
the Chief Whips of the three main parties and the Convenor of
the Crossbench peers.[557]
REFRESHMENT COMMITTEE~
11.75 This committee is appointed to consider
the refreshment services provided for the House, within the strategic
framework and financial limits approved by the House Committee.
The chairman is the Chairman of Committees.
COMMITTEE OF SELECTION~~
11.76 In addition to proposing the names of members
of the House to form, and to chair, select committees, this committee
also proposes the panel of Deputy Chairmen of Committees for each
session, as well as the members of any other bodies referred to
it by the Chairman of Committees, such as the Lords members of
the Board of the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology
(POST)~.[558]
The chairman is the Chairman of Committees.
WORKS OF ART COMMITTEE~
11.77 This committee is appointed to administer
the House of Lords Works of Art Collection Fund; and to consider
matters relating to works of art and the artistic heritage in
the House of Lords, within the strategic framework and financial
limits approved by the House Committee. The chairman is nominated
by the Committee of Selection.
Bodies analogous to select committees
AUDIT COMMITTEE~
11.78 The Audit Committee consists of members
of the House and an external element. The Lords members concerned
hold no other office in the House, and do not sit on any other
domestic committee.[559]
Membership of the committee and its terms of reference are the
responsibility of the House Committee.
ECCLESIASTICAL COMMITTEE~
11.79 The Ecclesiastical Committee is a statutory
body, whose proceedings are not proceedings in Parliament; but
by a committee resolution of 22 March 1921 it follows the procedure
of a parliamentary joint committee. It consists of 30 members,
15 of whom are nominated by the Lord Speaker[560]
from the House of Lords for the duration of a Parliament, to consider
Measures: see paragraphs 8.221-8.226.
INTELLIGENCE AND SECURITY COMMITTEE OF PARLIAMENT~
11.80 The Intelligence and Security Committee
of Parliament (ISCOP) is a statutory body, whose proceedings are
not proceedings in Parliament, appointed by the Prime Minister
in accordance with the Justice and Security Act 2013. Before putting
forward a name or names to the Prime Minister, the Leader of the
House consults the usual channels and tables a motion inviting
the House to approve the nomination.
11.81 The ISCOP is required to publish an annual
report, and may also publish special reports. There is a presumption
that annual reports will be debated in Grand Committee and that
special reports will be debated either in Grand Committee or in
the Chamber. Such debates are on a take-note motion (see paragraph
6.58) moved by a Lords member of the ISCOP. A minister winds up
the debate, and the mover has a right of reply.[561]
POST~
11.82 The Parliamentary Office of Science and
Technology (POST) provides members of both Houses with information
on science and technology issues. It is controlled by a Board
of members and officials of both Houses and non-parliamentarians.
Four Lords members currently sit on the Board. By practice they
include the chairman of the Science and Technology Committee and
a member of the Information Committee.
INTERNATIONAL DELEGATIONS~~
11.83 Members of the House serve on United Kingdom
delegations to various international bodies:
· British-Irish
Parliamentary Assembly;
· Commonwealth
Parliamentary Association;
· Council
of Europe Parliamentary Assembly;
· Inter-Parliamentary
Union;
· NATO
Parliamentary Assembly;
· Organisation
for Security and Co-operation in Europe.
These delegations are appointed after consultations
through the usual channels.[562]
514 The following committees are not select committees:
Committees of the whole House, Grand Committees, second reading
committees, unopposed private bill committees and committees to
prepare reasons for disagreeing to Commons amendments to bills.
The Ecclesiastical Committee and the Intelligence and Security
Committee are statutory bodies and not select committees. Back
515
Liaison 3rd Rpt 2005-06. Back
516
Procedure 1st Rpt 2000-01. Back
517
SO 63. Back
518
Unless the Chairman of Committees or two or more members of the
Committee of Selection think otherwise: SO 63(2). Back
519
At the start of the 2010 Parliament the Committee of Selection
concluded that the coalition government should not have a majority
over the other parties and Crossbenchers on any committee or sub-committee
(1st Rpt 2010-12). Back
520
Procedure 5th Rpt 2013-14. Back
521
SO 63(7). Back
522
Procedure 3rd Rpt 2010-12. The rule applies to the European Union
Committee as a whole, so that no member may serve for more than
three sessions across all of its sub-committees. The House Committee
applies a four-session rotation rule from the first Session of
the 2015 Parliament and a three-session rule for every session
thereafter. Back
523
Procedure 5th Rpt 2013-14. Back
524
Procedure 2nd Rpt 2006-07. Back
525
SO 61. Back
526
Procedure 1st Rpt 1992-93; Liaison 3rd Rpt 2010-12. Back
527
Procedure 1st Rpt 2008-09. Back
528
Commons SO 138. Back
529
SO 66. Parliamentary Witnesses Act 1858, s. 2; LJ (1857) 60. Back
530
Procedure 2nd Rpt 2006-07. Back
531
SO 67. Back
532
Procedure 2nd Rpt 2008-09. Back
533
SO 65. Back
534
Procedure 1st Rpt 1992-93. Back
535
SO 64. Back
536
Procedure 3rd Rpt 1981-82; 1st Rpt 1982-83. Back
537
Procedure 4th Rpt 2010-12. Back
538
SO 68. Back
539
Procedure 5th Rpt 2001-02. Back
540
Procedure 3rd Rpt 2003-04. Back
541
Departmental evidence and response to Select Committees, Cabinet
Office, October 2014. Back
542
Procedure 1st Rpt 1992-93, as amended 9 July 1992. Back
543
Liaison 1st Rpt 1998-99. Back
544
Procedure 1st Rpt 1999-2000. Back
545
Liaison 1st Rpt 1998-99. Back
546
Procedure 5th Rpt 2001-02. Back
547
Procedure 3rd Rpt 2003-04. Back
548
Procedure 1st Rpt 1973-74. Back
549
Procedure 5th Rpt 2013-14. Back
550
Procedure 1st Rpt 2005-06. Back
551
SO 72 sets out certain exceptions, including legislative reform
orders, remedial orders and hybrid instruments. Back
552
House Committee 1st Rpt 2007-08. Back
553
Report of the Select Committee on the Speakership of the House
of Lords, HL Paper 92 2005-06. Back
554
LJ (1998-99) 653. Back
555
SO 77; Procedure 1st Rpt 2009-10. Back
556
Procedure 2nd Rpt 2005-06. Back
557
Procedure 6th Rpt 2010-12. Back
558
SO 63. Back
559
Offices 5th Rpt 2001-02. Back
560
Under the Church of England Assembly (Powers) Act 1919, as amended
by Schedule 6 to the Constitutional Reform Act 2005. Back
561
Procedure 3rd Rpt 2007-08. Back
562
On 18 June 1992 the House confirmed this practice in respect of
the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe: LJ (1992-93)
112. Back
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