Chairs of Commons select committees since 2010

Remit and powers of select committees

Select committees are cross-party groups of MPs or Lords established by either House for the duration of a Parliament. The work of the Commons committees is governed by Standing Orders (SOs) of the House of Commons; these rules set out their membership, and remit and powers. Any changes to the rules must be approved by the House of Commons.

Committees decide upon their own subjects for inquiry within the broad scope of their remit. They seek evidence from people and organisations with an interest in the inquiry and anyone can submit evidence to an inquiry. The Library briefing Select Committees: evidence and witnesses looks at the power of select committees “to send for persons, papers and records”.

Departmental select committees

In the House of Commons there are 20 departmental select committees that shadow the work of government departments. Their remit is set out SO No 152:

Select committees shall be appointed to examine the expenditure, administration and policy of the principal government departments as set out in paragraph (2) of this order and associated public bodies.

Other Commons select committees cover aspects of public policy such as public spending (shown on the spreadsheet as ‘other scrutiny’), and the internal administration of the House (shown on the spreadsheet as ‘other’).

Membership of committees and election of chairs

Membership of select committees reflects party membership of the House as a whole. Since June 2010 chairs of departmental select committees have been elected by secret ballot of the House under SO No 122B which also provides for the election by secret ballot of the chairs of the following select committees:

• Environmental Audit
• Petitions
• Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs
• Public Accounts
• Procedure
• Standards

In addition, the Chair of the Backbench Business Committee is elected at the start of each session in accordance with SO No 122D.

Further information

The practical arrangements for the election of committee chairs by secret ballot are set out in the Library breifng Select committees: election of chairs and members.

Background on the changes to how members of select committees are nominated is provided in the Library breifng Nominations to Select Committees.

Certain committee chairs are entitled to an additional salary; Since April 2021 this has been £16,422. The Library briefing Select Committees – pay for chairs (2014) provides background on proposals for paying select committee chairs. 

Annex 2 of the Library briefing Members’ pay and expenses and ministerial salaries 2021/22 details the additional salary for select committee chairs.

The Library Briefing Evolution and changing composition of departmental select committees charts the changes in their number and size since thier establishement in 1979. 

Parliament: facts and figures

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This series of publications contains data on various subjects relating to Parliament and Government. Topics include legislation, MPs, select committees, debates, divisions and Parliamentary procedure.

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