HOUSE OF LORDS - United Kingdom Parliament

egular debates on select committee reports in prime time. 1 The House
has also agreed that select committee reports may be debated in Grand
Committee with the concurrence of those concerned. The report is
referred on a business of the House motion. Whether select committee
reports are debated on the floor of the House or in Grand Committee,
the debate may be time limited. 2
11.37 The government has undertaken to respond in writing to the
reports of select committees, if possible, within two months of
publication. 3 Debate takes place after the government has responded,
unless the committee wishes otherwise. 4
11.38 There is no set time limit for government responses to reports
from the Delegated Powers and Regulatory Reform Committee, as these
need to be made in good time for amendments to be tabled to the bill in
question. These responses are made available to frontbench spokesmen
on the bill in question, and placed in the Library of the House. 5
11.39 A committee without leave to report from time to time may
make a special report on incidental matters relating to its powers,
functions or proceedings. Committees have used this procedure to invite
evidence, or to review their own work over a period.
Joint committees
11.40 Joint committees of both Houses of Parliament usually have an
equal number of members from each House, but this is a matter for
arrangement between the Houses.
11.41 The standard procedure for setting up a joint committee
proposed by the Lords is as follows. A motion is moved that it is
expedient that a joint committee of both Houses be appointed to
consider some particular subject. If this is agreed to, it is communicated
by message to the Commons, with a request for their concurrence. If the
Commons agree then a message is returned which contains the
Commons membership and orders of reference. The House then
1 Procedure 5th Rpt 2001–02.
2 Procedure 3rd Rpt 2003–04.
3 Departmental evidence and response to Select Committees, Cabinet Office March 2009.
4 Procedure 1st Rpt 1992–93, as amended 9 July 1992.
5 Liaison 1st Rpt 1998–99.
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