Abstract
An assembly of 635 Members can provide the focal point for debates on broad policies and principles, but it is not suitable for the close and detailed scrutiny of the many complex aspects of public administration. The House of Commons therefore sets up a number of committees to examine specific matters. These select committees have power ‘to send for persons, papers and records’, which means they can examine witnesses and study documents submitted to them. Select committees are of two main types:
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
Reading
Lord Diamond, Public Expenditure in Practice ( London: Allen & Unwin, 1975 ).
Members of the Study of Parliament Group, Specialist Committees in the British Parliament ( London: Political and Economic Planning, 1976 ).
R. Rose, The Problem of Party Government ( Harmondsworth: Pelican, 1976 ).
D. Leonard and V. Herman (eds), The Backbencher and Parliament ( London: Macmillan, 1972 ).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Copyright information
© 1978 S. G. Richards
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Richards, S.G. (1978). Parliament: The House of Commons — II. In: Introduction to British Government. Palgrave, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-15877-5_6
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-15877-5_6
Publisher Name: Palgrave, London
Print ISBN: 978-0-333-23466-2
Online ISBN: 978-1-349-15877-5
eBook Packages: Palgrave Political & Intern. Studies CollectionPolitical Science and International Studies (R0)