How Do Committees Contribute To The Workings Of Parliament?

The success and failures of the various committees also contribute in determining the effectiveness of Parliament in ensuring executive accountability. The expansion of select committee work had been the need to enable Parliament to scrutinise the work of government more effectively. Select committees, with their traditional powers to call for evidence and to cross-examine witnesses at length offered a more effective means to penetrate the Whitehall defences. The 1979 reforms were designed to enhance the effectiveness of Parliament within the existing constitutional system.

Select Committees, in particular, have various powers. They can send for persons, papers or records, to adjourn and to report on their work to the House form time to time. Select Committees can also appoint specialist advisors to supply information, communicate with other committees and meet with any other committee in order to deliberate, take evidence or draft reports. It is these powers which the committees have gained which shows that they are effective in holding the executive accountable.