SELECT COMMITTEES

Early day motion 470, tabled 30 June 2005 by Derek Wyatt (Labour). Signed by 23 members.

That this House notes that the purpose of select committees is to act as both a scrutiny and an audit of Government departments; believes that if the decision-making process to choose the chairs of these committees is left to the discretion of the Whips offices then they will always be deficient in their duties; calls on the Select Committee on Modernisation of the House of Commons, when it is appointed, to bring forward a set of rules for the election of the chairs and members of select committees; and further believes that whilst this process is being undertaken decisions taken by the House on select committees over the next few weeks should only be valid until the end of the session.

Signatures by party: Labour 15, DUP 3, Liberal Democrat 3, Conservative 1, Plaid Cymru 1.