Making British law: Committees in action

Abstract

British Governments must pass laws if they are to survive, and Parliament is responsible for scrutinising these laws. We are used to seeing Members of Parliament in the House of Commons chamber, but we very rarely see them in committee, examining and debating the finer details of government bills. This book sheds light on the hidden world of House of Commons bill committees as they scrutinise legislation. Through a close analysis of government bills, it explores the inner workings of committees, revealing the widespread misconceptions of committee work. It also considers whether it is possible for backbenchers to change the law, examines the techniques and strategies they use to do this, and argues that committees are vital to the making of British law.