Committees

Committee of Privileges

Commons Select Committee

The Committee of Privileges is appointed to consider specific matters relating to privileges referred to it by the House. The scope of any inquiry comprises all matters relevant to the matter referred.

The Committee of Privileges currently has one matter referred to it, that of “the exercise and enforcement of the powers of the House in relation to select committees and contempts” (referred by the House on 27 October 2016). The Committee’s inquiry is assessing different options for enforcing the House’s powers to summon witnesses and call for production of documents. This includes reviewing the House’s available sanctions in cases of non-compliance by witnesses and other contempts.

More background on the purpose of the inquiry can be found by contacting privileges@parliament.uk

These pages only show information for this committee from the start of 2020 onwards. Earlier information can be found on the previous version of the UK Parliament website.

View previous Committee of Privileges website

Reports, special reports and government responses

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First Report - Select committees and contempts: clarifying and strengthening powers to call for persons, papers and records
Inquiry Select Committees and Contempts
Committees Committee of Privileges
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Oral evidence transcripts

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22 October 2019
Inquiry Select Committees and Contempts
Witnesses Sir Malcom Jack KCB (former Clerk at House of Commons), House of Commons, and Lord Tyrie (former Chair at Treasury Select Committee, former Chair at House of Commons Liaison Committee, and former Chair at Parliamentary Commission on Banking Standards)
Committees Committee of Privileges
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107KB
Oral Evidence
8 July 2019
Inquiry Select Committees and Contempts
Witnesses House of Commons, House of Commons, Chris Bryant (Chair, Finance Committee at House of Commons), and Sir Bernard Jenkin (Chair, Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee at House of Commons)
Committees Committee of Privileges
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177KB
Oral Evidence

Written evidence

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SCC0061 - Select Committees and Contempts
Witnesses House of Commons
Committees Committee of Privileges
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207KB
Written Evidence
SCC0060 - Select Committees and Contempts
Witnesses Mark Hutton (Former Clerk of Journals at House of Commons)
Committees Committee of Privileges
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63KB
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36KB
Written Evidence
SCC0059 - Select Committees and Contempts
Witnesses Mr Paul Evans
Committees Committee of Privileges
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55KB
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Written Evidence

Other publications

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