– in the House of Commons at 2:12 pm on 5 March 1993.
Ordered,That the Court of Auditors' Annual Report for 1991 (0 J.. c. 330, Vol. 35), together with the institutions' replies, and the unnumbered Explanatory Memorandum submitted by HM Treasury on 25th February 1993, relating to the Council's discharge of the General Budget of the European Communities for 1991, shall not stand referred to European Standing Committee B.— [Mr. Mackay.]
In a normal session there are up to ten standing committees on bills. Each has a chair and from 16 to 50 members. Standing committee members on bills are appointed afresh for each new bill by the Committee of Selection which is required to take account of the composition of the House of Commons (ie. party proportions) as well as the qualification of members to be nominated. The committees are chaired by a member of the Chairmen's Panel (whose members are appointed by the Speaker). In standing committees the Chairman has much the same function as the Speaker in the House of Commons. Like the Speaker, a chairman votes only in the event of a tie, and then usually in accordance with precedent. The committees consider each bill clause by clause and may make amendments. There are no standing committees in the House of Lords.
