What is a select committee?

A select committee is a small cross-party group of MPs or peers that investigates a subject and holds the government to account. Most Commons select committees shadow one government department. They take evidence from ministers, officials and experts, and publish reports with recommendations the government must respond to.

Each main government department has a matching Commons select committee, such as the Treasury Committee or Health and Social Care Committee. Other committees, like the Public Accounts Committee, look at value for money across government. Members are drawn from different parties in rough proportion to their seats. Since 2010 chairs of most committees have been elected by all MPs in a secret ballot. Committees hold evidence sessions, often broadcast live, where witnesses can be questioned in detail. They can summon people and papers. The government normally replies to a committee report within two months. The House of Lords also has select committees, which look at wider topics such as the constitution or science. Their reports often make headlines and can push ministers into changing course.