house of lords select committees

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Ayeesha WallerClerk of the Economic Affairs Committee

25 April 2016

UK Parliament select committees: what they do and why they need you

House of Lords Select Committees

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Characteristics of Lords committees

“Cross-cutting” rather than departmental

Complement the Commons

Distinctive style

Consensual

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Membership (unelected)

Usually 12 Members on

each committee

General political balance (4 Lab, 4 Cons, 2 X-B and 2

LD). No Government

majorityAbout 170 Members currently involved –

rotation rule = 3 sessions

Selected by Committee of Selection, on

nomination of Chief Whips and Convenor

of the Crossbenchers

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Economic Affairs Committee• Remit: to consider economic affairs.

• Inquiries on broad topics: the Economics of the UK Housing Market.

• Inquiries on narrower issues: The Economic Case for HS2

• Evidence sessions with individuals– Mark Carney – Bank of England Governor– George Osborne – Chancellor of the

Exchequer

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Holding Government to account?

“The Economic Affairs Committee, which treads fearlessly in controversial areas, is a bright spot in our political darkness.”

“simply the most brutal political assault against a current piece of legislation that I have seen. As political contributions go this is the equivalent of a Glasgow kiss wrapped in ermine.” 

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How can you engage with House of Lords Committees?

Submit written

evidenceGive oral evidence

Outreach service events

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Written evidence

• Relevant to the inquiry

• Concise

• But not too concise.

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Written evidence

I support the right to buy.

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Written evidence

• Original– Not published elsewhere– New angle on the issue– Personal experience

• On time

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Examples of public engagement with Lords select committees• HIV and AIDS in the UK Committee (2010-11)• Adoption Legislation Committee (2012-13)• Draft Deregulation Bill Committee (2013)• Mental Capacity Act 2005 Committee (2013-14)• Equality Act 2010 and Disability Committee

(2015-16)• Social Mobility Committee (2015-16)• Science and Technology Committee (sessional)• Joint Committee on Human Rights (sessional)• Communications Committee (sessional)

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Finding out more about select committees

http://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/lordscommitteebulletin/

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How to find out more

Talk to committee staff

Go and see a committee sitting, or watch a webcast

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