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

Reports, special reports and government responses

No reports or special reports published.

Oral evidence transcripts

View all oral evidence transcripts
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
Open PDF
185KB
Open HTML
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
Open PDF
279KB
Open HTML
177KB
Oral Evidence

Written evidence

View all written evidence
SCC0031 - Select Committees and Contempts
Witnesses Professor Tom Hickman QC (barrister-at-law, Professor of Public Law at University College London (UCL)), and Harry Balfour-Lynn
Committees Committee of Privileges
Open PDF
187KB
Open HTML
644KB
Written Evidence
SCC0030 - Select Committees and Contempts
Witnesses Daniel Greenberg (Counsel for Domestic Legislation at Office of Speaker’s Counsel, House of Commons)
Committees Committee of Privileges
Open PDF
75KB
Open HTML
15KB
Written Evidence
SCC0029 - Select Committees and Contempts
Witnesses Transport Select Committee
Committees Committee of Privileges
Open PDF
67KB
Open HTML
34KB
Written Evidence

Other publications

No other publications published.

Contact us

  • Email: privileges@parliament.uk
  • Phone: 020 7219 3259 (general enquiries) / 0207 219 1493 or 07712540141 (Paul Connolly: Media enquiries)