Role - Liaison Committee

The House of Commons Liaison Committee is made up of the Chairs of each of the select committees.

The Committee's role includes:

• Taking evidence from the Prime Minister on matters of public policy – usually three times a year
• Choosing select committee reports for debate in Westminster Hall
• Recommending topics to be debated in the main Chamber in backbench time
• Considering general matters relating to the work of select committees – agreeing guidelines and core tasks for committees and promoting effective scrutiny
• Giving advice to the House of Commons Commission on select committee matters, as required, with responsibility for allocating funding for select committee travel
• Deciding which committee is appropriate to scrutinise each proposal for a National Policy Statement under the Planning Act 2008 (for which purpose the Committee has a National Policy Statements Sub-Committee)

The Committee takes a particular interest in encouraging effective committee scrutiny of:

• Draft bills (pre-legislative scrutiny)
• Government Departments' finance and performance
• European business
• Public appointments (pre-appointment scrutiny)

Its functions and powers are set out in House of Commons Standing Order No.145. 

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