Chapter XIII: Section XI: Committees

Standing committees, as of privileges and elections, &c., are usually appointed at the first meeting, to continue through the session. The person first named is generally permitted to act as chairman. But this is a matter of courtesy; every committee having a right to elect their own chairman, who presides over them, puts questions, and reports their proceedings to the House.--4 _Inst._ 11, 12; _Scob._ 7; 1 _Grey_, 112.

At these committees the members are to speak standing, and not sitting, though there is reason to conjecture it was formerly otherwise.--_D'Ewes_, 630, _col._ 1; 4 _Parl. Hist._ 440; 2 _Hats._ 77.

Their proceedings are not to be published, as they are of no force till confirmed by the House.--_Rushw. part_ 3, _vol._ 2, 74; 3 _Grey_, 401; _Scob._ 39. Nor can they receive a petition but through the House.--9 _Grey_, 412.

When a committee is charged with an inquiry, if a member prove to be involved, they cannot proceed against him, but must make a special report to the House; whereupon the member is heard in his place, or at the bar, or a special authority is given to the committee to inquire concerning him.--9 _Grey_, 523.

So soon as the House sits, and a committee is notified of it, the chairman is in duty bound to rise instantly, and the members to attend the service of the House.--2 _Nals._ 19.

It appears, that on joint committee of the Lords and Commons, each committee acted integrally in the following instances;--7 _Grey_, 261, 278, 286, 338; 1 _Chandler_, 357, 462. In the following instances it does not appear whether they did or not:--6 _Grey_, 129; 7 _Grey_, 213, 229, 321.