Procedure Committee

Scrutiny of the House of Commons' standing orders, procedures and parliamentary business falls within the remit of the Procedure Committee. The committee sits in the Commons as a select committee and regularly takes oral evidence from witnesses including parliamentary officials, government ministers and external experts. Its work shapes how the House operates day-to-day and examines whether existing rules serve Parliament effectively. Recent inquiry work has focused on the sub judice rule and whether it prevents Parliament from discussing matters before the courts appropriately, hearing from the Attorney General and Baroness Scotland among others. The committee has also examined delays in the written parliamentary questions system and explored how opposition parties view its operation, alongside considering procedural reforms raised by the Leader of the House. Elections administration in Parliament, including evidence from the Electoral Reform Society Chief Executive, has formed part of its broader examination of House management practices.