Committee of Selection

There have been three occasions in relatively recent history when the Government had no majority.

After the February 1974 election, the Government did not have a majority. Even number of government and opposition members were appointed to committees.

In October 1974, the Labour Government secured a narrow majority at the election. Having lost its majority by April 1976, in May 1976 it accepted that it was no longer entitled to a majority on committees.

In January 1995, following the suspension of a number of Members, the Conservative Party technically lost its majority but argued that as it had not lost seats at by-elections or as a result of defections, it should continue to have a majority on committees.