select committee

noun

1. a committee, as of a legislative body, that is formed to examine and report on a specific bill or issue.

select committee

noun

1. (in Britain) a small committee composed of members of parliament, set up by either House of Parliament to investigate and report back on a specified matter of interest

Word History and Origins

Origin of select committee¹

An Americanism dating back to 1780–90

Example Sentences

It seems inevitable that Mr Parkinson will be called to give evidence to a parliamentary select committee so that MPs can pursue in public view the question of why he decided to drop the case.

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Dame Meg Hillier, who chairs the influential Treasury select committee, said ending the limit was not only the right thing to do morally, it also made economic sense in the long term.

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A deal for a new select committee to scrutinise the assisted dying bill has been agreed by peers in the House of Lords, who are expected to allow the legislation to proceed.

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Rep. Mike Collins, a Georgia Republican, called for a House select committee on left-wing violence.

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Cooper was shadow home secretary for seven years in two stints and also spent five years as chairwoman of the home affairs select committee.

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Related Words

• panel