How Select Committees Scrutinise Government (Parent Q&A)

This guide explains how select committees help Parliament examine government work and hold ministers and departments to account. It focuses especially on House of Commons departmental select committees, which investigate policy, administration and expenditure. It follows the process from choosing an inquiry and gathering evidence to questioning witnesses, publishing a report and considering the government’s response. It also explains the limits of committee powers and how select committees differ from Public Bill Committees.