HOUSE OF LORDS - United Kingdom Parliament

9.35 Private business SOs 124A and 131–146 amount to “standing
instructions” to committees on certain types of bill.
Commitment
9.36 After second reading every unopposed bill is normally committed
to an unopposed bill committee. 1 Every bill opposed by petitions is
committed to a select committee. 2
9.37 The Chairman of Committees may report to the House that, in
his opinion, an unopposed bill should be proceeded with as an opposed
bill and committed to a select committee. 3 In such a case the committee
might be authorised to hear evidence tendered by parties other than the
promoters, but this procedure has rarely been used.
Committees on opposed bills
9.38 Select committees on opposed bills consist of five members,
normally named by the Chairman of Committees, who also nominates
the chairman, and reports his appointments to the House. Members of
the House with an interest in the bill may not serve on the committee. 4 If
the chairman is absent, the committee may appoint a substitute. 5
9.39 In principle every member of the committee must attend the
whole proceedings, but the committee may sit with only four members if
all the parties agree. In this case a report is made to the House. If the
consent of any party is withheld, the committee adjourns and may not
resume in the absence of a member without leave of the House. No
member who is not a member of the committee may take any part in its
proceedings. 6
9.40 If the committee adjourns over a day on which the House sits, it
must report the reason to the House. 7 Promoters and petitioners may be
represented by counsel or agents. The committee hears arguments and
1 PBSO 121.
2 PBSO 104.
3 PBSO 92.
4 PBSO 96.
5 PBSO 95.
6 PBSOs 105, 106.
7 PBSO 108.
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