What Possible Reforms Of Standing Committees Have Been Suggested?

Possible reforms of standing committees include a fixed timetable, which would prevent the imposition of the guillotine and allow a more balance since each part of the bill would be given a certain amount of time for scrutiny. Secondly, permanent committees have been suggested, which would allow a body of knowledge to develop and help to reduce the partisan nature of committees. Third, Lord Norton of Louth has suggested the committee stage should proceed the bill's second reading which would allow the committee to consider wider issues.

It has also been recommended that committees should be given additional powers including the right to hold public sessions questioning witnesses and considering certain aspects of a bill before carrying out the examination. The merger of standing and select committees has also been considered. This would result in the committee reviewing the work of a particular department, including the legislation produced by that department.