Committees of the House of Assembly
What Are Committees?
Committees are smaller, specialized groups of Members that perform detailed work on behalf of the entire Assembly. They serve as essential tools for parliamentary democracy, allowing for thorough examination of issues that the full Assembly cannot address due to time constraints or complexity.
Purpose and Functions
Parliamentary committees divide the extensive work of the legislature, enabling specialized and detailed scrutiny of government functions, proposed laws, and public finances. They serve as focused forums that:
- Examine complex issues in greater detail than possible in full Assembly sessions
- Gather information by summoning witnesses and requesting documents
- Hold the government accountable for its policies, administration, and spending
- Shape legislation by reviewing bills and proposing amendments
- Improve transparency and public engagement through hearings and reports
- Report findings and recommendations back to the Assembly for further action
Types of Committees
The House of Assembly operates three main types of committees under the House of Assembly (Procedure) Rules, 2021:
Standing Committees
These permanent committees have ongoing responsibilities in specific areas:
Public Accounts Committee - The Assembly's primary financial oversight body, consisting of three to five Members drawn from both Government and Opposition. An Opposition Member serves as Chairman. The Committee's duties include:
- Verifying that authorized expenditure has been applied to prescribed purposes
- Scrutinizing causes of excess expenditure and examining savings applications
- Conducting effective examination of public accounts across all government departments and agencies
- Summoning public officers to provide information, explanations, or documents
- Appointing specialist advisers when needed
- Submitting regular reports to the Assembly, with the Government required to respond in writing within six weeks of any adopted report
Administration Committee - Chaired by the Speaker and consisting of three to five Members from both sides of the Assembly. This committee considers services provided for and by the Assembly and makes recommendations to the Clerk and Speaker. Any recommendations requiring additional expenditure must also be reviewed by the Public Accounts Committee.
Select Committees
These temporary committees are appointed by the Assembly to investigate specific matters or examine particular Bills. Key features include:
- Membership appointed by Assembly resolution for specific purposes
- Authority to take evidence and conduct detailed inquiries
- Power to appoint specialist advisers for complex matters
- Quorum of three Members (or two if the committee has four or fewer members)
- Committees elect their own Chair unless the Assembly nominates one
- Authority to report findings and recommendations to the Assembly
- Members may submit dissenting statements if they disagree with majority findings
Committees of the Whole Assembly
When the Assembly resolves itself into a Committee of the Whole, all Members participate in detailed clause-by-clause examination of Bills, allowing for thorough legislative scrutiny in a less formal setting.
Committee Powers and Procedures
Under the procedural rules, committees possess significant authority to fulfill their mandates:
- Summoning witnesses and compelling testimony
- Requesting documents and records
- Conducting public hearings
- Engaging specialist advisers and expert assistance
- Receiving secretarial and administrative support from the Clerk's office
Reporting and Accountability
All committee reports must be signed by the Committee Chair or, in their absence, the senior Member present. Reports are presented to the Assembly by the Chair or a committee Member, after which they may be debated, adopted, or referred for further action. This process ensures that detailed committee work informs broader Assembly deliberations and decision-making.
Through this committee system, the House of Assembly ensures comprehensive examination of government activities, thorough legislative review, and effective democratic oversight on behalf of the people of Anguilla.