Committees

Select Committees and Contempts

Inquiry

The Committee of Privileges has resumed this long-standing inquiry into select committee powers and contempts. Back in 2016 the matter of “the exercise and enforcement of the powers of the House in relation to select committees and contempt” was referred to the Committee of Privileges. 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.

This inquiry is no longer accepting evidence

The deadline for submissions was Tuesday 21 September 2021.

Reports, special reports and government responses

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First Report - Select committees and contempts: review of consultation on Committee proposals
Inquiry Select Committees and Contempts
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HC 401
Report
Response to this report
Government response to the Committee of Privileges report on Select Committees and Contempts
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Government Response
First Report - Select committees and contempts: clarifying and strengthening powers to call for persons, papers and records
Inquiry Select Committees and Contempts
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Oral evidence transcripts

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30 November 2021
Inquiry Select Committees and Contempts
Witnesses Rt Hon Jacob Rees-Mogg MP (Lord President of the Council and Leader at House of Commons)
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Oral Evidence
30 November 2021
Inquiry Select Committees and Contempts
Witnesses Rt Hon Caroline Nokes MP (Chair, Women and Equalities Committee at House of Commons), Sir Robert Neill MP (Chair, Justice Committee at House of Commons), and Damian Collins MP, Chair, Joint Committee on the Online Harms Bill, and former Chair, DCMS Committee
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Oral Evidence
30 November 2021
Inquiry Select Committees and Contempts
Witnesses Lord Gardiner of Kimble (Senior Deputy Speaker at House of Lords), Christopher Johnson (Clerk of Journals at House of Lords), and Rt Hon the Lord Judge, former Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales
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Oral Evidence

Written evidence

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Counsel for Domestic Legislation (SCC0068)
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Counsel for Domestic Legislation (SCC0067)
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Counsel for Domestic Legislation (SCC0066)
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Other publications

Government Responses
The Government has undertaken to respond to most committee reports within two months, although there are exceptions to this rule.
1 published

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