HOUSE OF LORDS - United Kingdom Parliament

deliberate or to take evidence. Select committees may also give this
power to sub-committees. 1
11.24 The powers of committees of the House to inquire into matters
relating to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have not been limited
formally by the devolution statutes.
Proceedings in committee
11.25 The quorum of a committee is three, unless the House orders
otherwise. The quorum of sub-committees of the European Union
Committee and the Lords joining with the Commons as the Joint
Committees on Human Rights, Statutory Instruments and Tax Law
Rewrite Bills is two.
11.26 The chairman of a committee has a vote, but not a casting vote.
11.27 Proceedings are conducted in English. However, the use of the
Welsh language is permitted for the purpose of Committee proceedings
held in Wales. 2
Participation by non-members
11.28 Members of the House who are not members of a select
committee may attend and speak when evidence is being taken; but they
may not attend any meeting while the committee deliberates, unless
invited by the committee to do so, they do not count towards the
quorum, and they may not vote. 3 Members of the House who are not
members of a committee or sub-committee do not receive papers on a
regular basis. 4
11.29 For the composition of the Committee for Privileges and Conduct
when hearing claims of peerage, see below, paragraph 11.68.
Recess, prorogation and dissolution
11.30 A committee can sit at any time during a recess, but no
committee may sit during prorogation or dissolution.
1 SO 67.
2 Procedure 2nd Rpt 2008–09.
3 SO 65.
4 Procedure 1st Rpt 1992–93.
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