This document provides an introduction to select committees in the UK Parliament. It explains that select committees hold inquiries into matters of public policy or administration, gathering written and oral evidence. This allows them to scrutinize the government and other organizations and produce reports making recommendations. The document outlines the process committees go through for inquiries and evidence gathering. It also notes that committees can take on pre-legislative and post-legislative scrutiny and that citizens can engage with their work by submitting evidence or contacting committee members.

1. www.parliament.uk/get-involved
#GetParliament
Select Committees: an
introduction
UK Parliament’s Outreach and Engagement
Service

2. www.parliament.uk/get-involved
#GetParliament
Parliament’s Outreach Service

3. www.parliament.uk/get-involved
#GetParliament
What is Parliament?
House of
Commons
House of
Lords
The Monarch

4. www.parliament.uk/get-involved
#GetParliament
The core tasks of Parliament
Proposes and makes
laws (Legislation)
Holds Government to account
Enables the Government to
set taxes

5. www.parliament.uk/get-involved
#GetParliament
Parliament and Government

6. www.parliament.uk/get-involved
#GetParliament
Select Committees

7. www.parliament.uk/get-involved
#GetParliament
http://www.parliament.uk/about/po
dcasts/theworkofparliament/select-
committees-in-the-house-of-
lords/lords-select-committees-get-
involved/

8. www.parliament.uk/get-involved
#GetParliament
A select committee inquiry
• Inquiry announced
• Call for evidence
• Written evidence deadline
• Oral evidence sessions
• Report preparation
• Publication of report
• Government response

9. www.parliament.uk/get-involved
#GetParliament
Evidence gathering

10. www.parliament.uk/get-involved
#GetParliament
http://www.parliament.uk/get-involved/committees/

11. www.parliament.uk/get-involved
#GetParliament
Oral evidence

12. www.parliament.uk/get-involved
#GetParliament
Select committee report

13. www.parliament.uk/get-involved
#GetParliament
http://www.parliament.uk/about/po
dcasts/theworkofparliament/select-
committees-in-the-house-of-
commons/why-are-select-
committees-important/

14. www.parliament.uk/get-involved
#GetParliament
Petitions Committee
What can the Petitions Committee do with
petitions?
• Seek further info in writing - from petitioners, the Government,
other public bodies, other relevant people/organisations
• Seek further information in person – in Parliament or elsewhere
• Refer to another select committee (but no obligation to act)
• Schedule a debate in Westminster Hall (Monday afternoon, from
4.30pm for up to three hours)
• Ask the Backbench Business Committee for debating time in the
Chamber
• Nothing

15. www.parliament.uk/get-involved
#GetParliament
Pre-legislative scrutiny and
post-legislative scrutiny

16. www.parliament.uk/get-involved
#GetParliament
Your next steps...
Watch, read or attend a select committee evidence session
Use http://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/ to find
information on specific select committees
Use www.parliament.uk to research MPs and Peers with an interest in your
issue
Write to an interested member of a select committee, an MP or Peer, about
your issue
Write to committee staff about your issue
Read the advice on submitting evidence to select committees
Submit evidence to a select committee

17. www.parliament.uk/get-involved
#GetParliament
Where can I get information?
www.parliament.uk @UKParliament
House of Commons Enquiry Service
• 020 7219 4272
• @HouseofCommons hcenquiries@parliament.uk
House of Lords Information Office
• 020 7219 3107
• @UKHouseofLords hlinfo@parliament.uk
Parliament’s Outreach Service
• 020 7219 1650
• outreach@parliament.uk