9.4.2 The work of select committees.

UK Select Committees: Roles, Functions, and Effectiveness

Overview

Select committees are key components of the UK Parliament, responsible for scrutinising the work of the government, examining specific policy areas, and investigating issues of public concern. They consist of MPs from various parties and operate across different departments and subjects.

1. Functions and Operations

1.1. Meetings and Scrutiny:

• Select committees hold regular meetings where they can question MPs, government ministers, and other witnesses.

• Meetings typically last between 45 minutes to an hour, allowing ample time for detailed scrutiny and thorough questioning.

• Example: The Home Affairs Select Committee regularly questions the Home Secretary and other senior officials on issues related to policing, immigration, and security. 1.2. Demand for Answers:

• Committees have the power to demand answers from government officials and require them to provide evidence.

• Example: The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) frequently questions civil servants and ministers about government spending and financial management. 1.3. Recommendations:

• Committees produce reports with recommendations for the government. However, the government is not obliged to follow these recommendations, and approximately 40% are implemented.

• Example: The Environmental Audit Committee's report on microbeads led to the ban of microbeads in 2018 under the Microbead-free Waters Act.

2. Government Response and Compliance

2.1. Ignoring Recommendations:

• The government often ignores select committee recommendations, leading to concerns about their effectiveness.

• Example: Priti Patel, the previous Home Secretary, has been noted for not attending several committee meetings, impacting the scrutiny process. 2.2. Notable Resignations:

• Select committees can uncover significant issues leading to high-profile resignations.

• Example: Amber Rudd resigned as Home Secretary in 2018 after the Home Affairs Select Committee raised concerns over her handling of the Windrush scandal. 2.3. Blocking Witnesses:

• The executive can block certain witnesses from attending committee meetings.

• Example: In 2013, Theresa May, then Home Secretary, prevented Andrew Parker, the head of MI5, from being interviewed by a select committee.

3. Significant Committee Inquiries and Outcomes

3.1. Environmental Audit Committee:

• Investigates environmental issues and makes recommendations for policy changes.

• Example: The committee's report on the environmental damage caused by microbeads led to their ban in 2018. 3.2. Public Accounts Committee (PAC):

• Examines public finances and ensures government accountability for spending.

• Example: In 2020, the PAC led an inquiry into gambling regulation, resulting in the government banning the use of credit cards on gambling sites to prevent large debts.

4. Evaluation of Select Committees

4.1. Government Majorities:

• Select committees often reflect the composition of the House of Commons, leading to government majorities and potentially less effective scrutiny.

• Example: The Defence Committee has 5 Conservative MPs, and the Foreign Affairs Committee has 6 Conservative MPs, which may limit rigorous questioning of government policies. 4.2. Liaison Committee:

• Calls the Prime Minister to account twice a year, providing a platform for high-level scrutiny.

• Example: Boris Johnson cancelled several appearances before the Liaison Committee, reducing its effectiveness in holding the PM to account. 4.3. Overall Effectiveness:

• While select committees play a crucial role in scrutinising the government, their effectiveness is sometimes hindered by political dynamics and the executive's ability to control the agenda and attendance.

• Example: The balance of power within committees, government's selective response to recommendations, and the executive's control over witness appearances all influence the overall impact of select committees.

Conclusion

Select committees are essential for ensuring government accountability and transparency within the UK parliamentary system. They provide a forum for detailed scrutiny, informed debate, and public accountability. However, their effectiveness can be limited by government majorities, executive interference, and selective adherence to recommendations. Recent examples highlight both the significant contributions of select committees and the challenges they face in fulfilling their role.