COMMONS

Foreign Affairs Committee

The Committee consists of eleven Members of Parliament, drawn from the three largest political parties. It is appointed to monitor the policy, administration and expenditure of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and its associated public bodies, including the British Council and the BBC World Service.

The Committee chooses its own subjects of inquiry. More details of its mode of working are given in the Role of the Committee section. It takes written and oral evidence and produces reports to which the Government issues a response. The variety of work undertaken by the Committee, as well as work carried out by its predecessors in earlier Parliaments, can be viewed using the Reports and Publications section.

Members of the Committee also participate in the Committees on Arms Export Controls.


 

What's on

Date Business
21 February 2012
10:30 am
Subject: FCO Performance and Finances
Witness(es): Lord Williams of Baglan, International Trustee, BBC Trust
Location: tbc
21 February 2012
11:00 am
Subject: The role and future of the Commonwealth
Witness(es): Senator Hugh Segal, Canadian Special Envoy for Commonwealth Renewal
Location: tbc
06 March 2012
10:30 am
Subject: The role and future of the Commonwealth
Location: tbc
08 March 2012
10:10 am
Subject: Developments in UK Foreign Policy
Witness(es): Rt Hon William Hague MP, Secretary of State, Foreign & Commonwealth Office
Location: The Grimond Room, Portcullis House

Select Committees Film

This short film explains the role and impact of select committees, their membership, how they conduct inquiries, what it's like to be a witness and how you can get involved.

Related information

Much of the work of the House of Commons and the House of Lords takes place in committees, which examine issues in detail, from government policy to proposed new laws.

Detailed guidance for individuals and organisations giving written or oral evidence to Select Committees.

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