Select Committees in the House of Lords

Lords Select Committees tend to be set up to consider issues that cut across government departments, which means that they rarely overlap with the departmental select committees of the House of Commons.

Examples of such Lords Select Committees are the Economic Affairs, Constitution and Delegated Powers Committees.

The House of Lords frequently sets up committees to consider and report on specific subjects. Previous examples are the Select Committee on Animals in Scientific Procedures and the Select Committee on Religious Offences. The Lords also has ‘domestic’ committees, including the Accommodation and Works and Information Committees.

Committee membership is put to the House of Lords to approve, normally without a vote, nominations having been made via the Usual Channels (the party whips offices). Most committees have around 12 members, the party balance mirroring that of the House of Lords as a whole.