Dimension: 7.3.2 Composition of committees

This dimension concerns the rules and practice regarding the composition of parliamentary committees, including committee membership and leadership. It is important that MPs should be able to engage in committee work, in accordance with their personal expertise and interests and with the selection and decision-making processes of their political groups. Political groups often play a key role in committee assignments.

Committee Committee See:  Parliamentary committee Parliamentary committee A body comprised of MPs who are appointed, on either a temporary or a permanent basis, to debate or closely examine matters closely related to specific policies, issues or circumstances, in line with the committee’s scope of work. The theme, structure and nature of parliamentary committees are established by a chamber’s rules of procedure. Depending on the these rules, the composition of a committee may reflect that of the whole parliament or include diverse party representation. In some parliaments, the term “commission” is used instead of, or interchangeably with, “committee”. . membership is usually determined at the start of a parliamentary term. Generally, the composition of committees is proportionate to that of parliament as a whole. While there is considerable variation in committee structures, parliaments often require each MP to sit on at least one committee. Many parliaments allow MPs to be members of more than one committee, whereas some parliaments limit the number of committees on which each MP can sit.

Committee Committee See:  Parliamentary committee Parliamentary committee A body comprised of MPs who are appointed, on either a temporary or a permanent basis, to debate or closely examine matters closely related to specific policies, issues or circumstances, in line with the committee’s scope of work. The theme, structure and nature of parliamentary committees are established by a chamber’s rules of procedure. Depending on the these rules, the composition of a committee may reflect that of the whole parliament or include diverse party representation. In some parliaments, the term “commission” is used instead of, or interchangeably with, “committee”. . leadership roles – chairs and vice-chairs – are often elected by and from committee members after the composition of the committee is determined, soon after the first meeting of the newly elected parliament. In some systems, the majority party obtains chair positions for all committees, while in others, committee leadership positions are distributed among political groups based on the principle of proportionality.

Regardless of the system, it is important for parliament to establish and apply clear, fair and transparent rules and procedures for the composition of committees and the selection or election of committee leadership positions. Parliament Parliament A national body of elected (or sometimes appointed) representatives that makes laws, debates issues and holds the government to account. ’s rules of procedure often explicitly assign leadership of some committees – such as the budget committee or the human rights committee – to the opposition. 
Special consideration may be given to small political groups and independent MPs to ensure their representation in committees, either as full members or as observers.  

See also Dimension 1.4.4: Parliamentary committees.