HOUSE OF LORDS - United Kingdom Parliament

CHAPTER 9
PRIVATE LEGISLATION
Role of the Chairman of Committees
9.01 In addition to his duties in the House, the Chairman of
Committees exercises a general supervision and control over private bills,
personal bills, Scottish provisional order confirmation bills and hybrid
instruments. References in any private business standing order or in the
Statutory Orders (Special Procedure) Act 1945 to the Chairman of
Committees are construed as including references to the Principal
Deputy Chairman of Committees and to any other Deputy Chairman. 1
9.02 The Chairman of Committees has the duty to name the Lords to
form the following committees:
(a) select committees on private bills;
(b) select committees on opposed personal bills;
(c) select committees on opposed provisional order confirmation bills;
(d) joint committees under the Private Legislation Procedure
(Scotland) Act 1936 (House of Lords members);
(e) joint committees under the Statutory Orders (Special Procedure)
Act 1945 (House of Lords members);
unless he is of the opinion that any such committee should be selected
and proposed to the House by the Committee of Selection or unless at
least two members of that committee request a meeting for that
purpose. 2 The Chairman of Committees also has the duty to name the
chairman of any select committee on a private bill appointed by him. 3
1: PRIVATE BILLS
Origination of private bills
9.03 Private bills originate outside Parliament and are promoted by
bodies seeking special powers not available under the general law. They
1 Private Business SOs 94A, 204.
2 SO 63(2).
3 Private Business SO 95(2).
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