§ 52. Mr. Leaveyasked the hon. Member for Worcestershire, South, as Chairman of the Committee of Selection, the considerations which guide the Committee in its appointment of Members other than Ministers to Standing Committees of this House; to what extent activities or employment known or alleged to be undertaken by a Member outside the scope of his Parliamentary duties are taken to be a reason for non-appointment to a Standing Committee; and what dispensation is accorded to Privy Councillors.
§ Sir P. AgnewThe duties of the Committee of Selection are laid down in Standing Order No. 58. In selecting hon. Members to serve on Standing Committees the Committee has regard to the qualifications of Members and to the composition of the House. The Committee takes account of those Members who have spoken in the Second Reading debate on the Bill concerned. Furthermore, if any Member desires to be appointed to a Standing Committee in respect of a particular Bill, he may approach the Chairman of the Committee of Selection with his request; it will then be considered by the Committee. In this connection, it is appreciated that following the recent adoption by the 69W House of a recommendation of the Select Committee on Procedure that the nucleus membership of Standing Committees should be abolished, there is now greater opportunity for the Committee of Selection to suit the membership of a Standing Committee to the nature of the Bill which it will have to consider. The Committee of Selection has regard to the Parliamentary duties of hon. Members which might prevent their attendance at the morning sittings of a Standing Committee, but does not have cognisance of Members' outside activities or employment. No exemption from appointment to Standing Committees attaches to Privy Councillors.