Glossary
This section explains key parliamentary and government terms.
Backbench Business Committee
A Commons committee that gives backbench MPs opportunities to bring forward debates.
Business and Trade Committee
A Commons select committee that scrutinises the Department for Business and Trade.
Committee of Privileges
Abbreviation: Privileges Committee
A Commons committee that considers matters relating to parliamentary privilege referred to it by the House.
Committee on Standards
Abbreviation: Standards Committee
A Commons committee concerned with standards of conduct for MPs.
Committee Report
A published report setting out a parliamentary committee’s findings and recommendations.
Delegated Powers and Regulatory Reform Committee
Abbreviation: DPRRC
A House of Lords committee that examines whether bills give ministers inappropriate delegated powers.
Education Committee
A Commons select committee that scrutinises education, children’s services and skills policy in England.
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
Abbreviation: EFRA Committee
A Commons select committee that scrutinises Defra and related environmental, farming and rural policy.
Environmental Audit Committee
Abbreviation: EAC
A Commons select committee that examines environmental protection and sustainable development across government.
Evidence Session
A committee meeting where members question witnesses as part of parliamentary scrutiny.
Health and Social Care Committee
A Commons select committee that scrutinises health and adult social care policy in England.
Home Affairs Committee
A Commons select committee that scrutinises the Home Office and related policy areas.
Joint Committee
A committee made up of members from both the House of Commons and the House of Lords.
Joint Committee on Human Rights
Abbreviation: JCHR
A committee of MPs and peers that examines legislation and policy for compatibility with human rights standards.
Justice Committee
A Commons select committee that scrutinises justice policy, courts, prisons, probation and the Ministry of Justice.
Liaison Committee
A committee made up of select committee chairs, known for questioning the Prime Minister.
Oral Evidence
Evidence given by witnesses speaking directly to a parliamentary committee.
Procedure Committee
A Commons select committee that examines House of Commons procedure and practice.
Public Accounts Committee
Abbreviation: PAC
A Commons select committee that examines public spending and value for money.
Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee
Abbreviation: PACAC
A Commons select committee that scrutinises constitutional issues and public administration.
Science, Innovation and Technology Committee
Abbreviation: SITC
A Commons select committee that scrutinises science, research, innovation and technology policy.
Secondary Legislation Scrutiny Committee
Abbreviation: SLSC
A House of Lords committee that examines secondary legislation and draws important instruments to the House’s attention.
Select Committee
A cross-party committee that examines the work of government departments, public bodies, or specific issues.
Select Committee Inquiry
A formal investigation by a select committee into a topic, department, or public issue.
Statutory Instrument Committee
A general term for a committee arrangement used to consider statutory instruments.
Transport Committee
A Commons select committee that scrutinises transport policy and the Department for Transport.
Treasury Committee
A Commons select committee that scrutinises HM Treasury, tax, public finances and financial regulation.