Question

To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker whether non-affiliated members of the House of Lords are considered for places on select committees; and if so, what criteria are applied as to whether or not places are offered.

Non-affiliated members who wish to be considered for appointment to select committees should write to me, as the Chairman of the Committee of Selection, setting out which particular committee they would like to be considered for and why. Representations that I receive are then put to the Committee of Selection for consideration when agreeing proposals to the House for membership of committees. In deciding whether to recommend a nomination the Committee of Selection will take account of the particular experience that the member concerned would bring, the current composition of the committee and the nature of its work, as well as any other relevant factors.