SELECT COMMITTEES 
There are two types of Select Committee: Departmental 
Select Committees, which are appointed to scrutinise the 
work of Government Departments; and Scrutiny 
Committees which examine narrow areas of government 
action. Examples of Departmental Select Committees 
(which were only introduced in 1978) include The Select 
Committee on Agriculture and the Defence Committee.
Examples of the second type include the Committee of 
Public Accounts and the European Legislation Committee. 
There are also a number of 'domestic' committees (which stay in 
place for as long as they are required) which examine the internal 
running of the House.  

Select Committees are entitled to interview witnesses, and publish reports which may then be debated in Parliament. Most have eleven backbench members - chosen in proportion to party seats in the Commons.