– in a Public Bill Committee at on 17 January 2002.
Mrs Marion Roe
Conservative, Broxbourne
2:30,
17 January 2002
I should inform the Committee that the Programming Sub-Committee met just before this sitting and agreed a resolution, a copy of which has been circulated in the Room. The Committee must consider that resolution before proceeding with further consideration of the Bill.
Resolved,
If two days are allotted for consideration and Third Reading of the Adoption and Children Bill, the Special Standing Committee recommends that proceedings on consideration be brought to a conclusion two hours before the time at which proceedings on Third Reading are to be brought to a conclusion.—[Jacqui Smith.]
Clauses 100 to 103 ordered to stand part of the Bill.
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.
