The role of parliamentary committees in the house of representatives

Abstract

This project outlines and examines the diverse roles carried out by the seven Standing Committees in the Maltese Parliament. The Standing Committees are: The Public Accounts Committee, The Standing Committee on Foreign and European Affairs, The Standing Committee on Social Affairs, The Standing Committee on House Business, The Standing Committee for Consideration of Bills, The Standing Committee on Privileges and The Standing Committee on Development Planning. The Maltese Parliament set up these Standing Committees by Standing Order 120. Three Committees, namely The Public Accounts Committee, The Standing Committee on Foreign and European Affairs and The Standing Committee for Social Affairs are examined into more detail than the remaining four, as they seem to be more of interest to the public. During the research process, one could notice certain elements, for instance, the inclusion of Ministers and Parliamentary Secretaries on various Standing Committees even on the PAC whereas in UK, this Committee is composed solely of back benchers. The reason is that back benchers have more time to offer in Committees than Ministers who are usually busy on their daily ministerial routines.