Public Administration Select Committee

Public Administration Select Committee is a select committee of the House of Commons in the United Kingdom, responsible for scrutinizing the quality and standards of public administration, including the work of the Civil Service, National Audit Office, and other public bodies, such as the BBC and the NHS. The committee's work is informed by the principles of good governance, as outlined by the United Nations, and the standards set by the International Organization for Standardization. The committee's activities are also guided by the Public Administration Act 2003 and the Freedom of Information Act 2000, which aim to promote transparency and accountability in public administration, as exemplified by the work of Tony Blair and the Labour Party (UK).

Introduction

The Public Administration Select Committee was established in 2002, following a review of the select committee system by the House of Commons Modernisation Committee, chaired by Robin Cook. The committee's creation was influenced by the work of Lord Nolan and the Committee on Standards in Public Life, which highlighted the need for greater scrutiny of public administration, as seen in the Cash for Questions scandal and the Scott Report. The committee's first chair was Tony Wright, who played a key role in shaping its agenda and approach, drawing on the expertise of Institute for Government and the Centre for Public Scrutiny. The committee's work has been informed by the research of academics such as Christopher Hood and Colin Talbot, and has been influenced by the policies of Gordon Brown and the Treasury.

Role and Responsibilities

The Public Administration Select Committee is responsible for examining the quality and standards of public administration, including the work of the Civil Service, National Audit Office, and other public bodies, such as the Food Standards Agency and the Environment Agency. The committee's role is to scrutinize the effectiveness of public administration, identify areas for improvement, and make recommendations for change, as seen in its reports on the National Health Service and the Department for Work and Pensions. The committee's work is guided by the principles of good governance, as outlined by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and the World Bank, and is informed by the expertise of organizations such as the Institute for Fiscal Studies and the King's Fund. The committee has also worked closely with other select committees, such as the Public Accounts Committee and the Constitutional Affairs Committee, to promote greater transparency and accountability in public administration, as exemplified by the work of Margaret Hodge and the Committee of Public Accounts.

Membership and Structure

The Public Administration Select Committee consists of 11 members, who are appointed by the House of Commons for the duration of a parliamentary session, as outlined in the Standing Orders of the House of Commons. The committee's membership reflects the balance of parties in the House of Commons, with members drawn from the Conservative Party (UK), Labour Party (UK), Liberal Democrats, and other parties, such as the Democratic Unionist Party and the Scottish National Party. The committee is supported by a team of staff, including a clerk, a senior clerk, and specialist advisers, who provide expertise on topics such as public policy and public management, as seen in the work of Professor Peter Hennessy and the University of London. The committee's work is also informed by the research of think tanks such as the Institute for Public Policy Research and the Centre for Policy Studies.

Investigations and Reports

The Public Administration Select Committee conducts investigations and produces reports on a wide range of topics related to public administration, including the work of the Civil Service, National Audit Office, and other public bodies, such as the Ministry of Defence and the Department for Education. The committee's reports are based on evidence gathered from a variety of sources, including oral and written submissions from witnesses, such as Sir Gus O'Donnell and Lord Bichard, and research conducted by the committee's staff, as seen in its reports on the Iraq War and the Financial Crisis of 2007-2008. The committee's reports are debated in the House of Commons and are used to inform policy and decision-making, as exemplified by the work of David Cameron and the Cabinet Office.

Impact and Influence

The Public Administration Select Committee has had a significant impact on public administration in the United Kingdom, influencing policy and decision-making on a wide range of topics, including public sector reform, civil service reform, and public service delivery, as seen in the work of Francis Maude and the Cabinet Office. The committee's reports have been cited in debates in the House of Commons and have informed the development of policy initiatives, such as the Government's Civil Service Reform Plan and the Public Services (Social Value) Act 2012, which aim to promote greater transparency and accountability in public administration, as exemplified by the work of Nick Clegg and the Deputy Prime Minister's Office. The committee's work has also been recognized internationally, with its reports and recommendations influencing policy and decision-making in other countries, such as Australia and Canada, as seen in the work of the Australian Public Service Commission and the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat.

History and Background

The Public Administration Select Committee has its roots in the House of Commons Expenditure Committee, which was established in 1970 to examine public expenditure and the work of government departments, as outlined in the Parliamentary Commissioner Act 1967. The committee's creation was influenced by the work of Lord Fulton and the Fulton Committee, which highlighted the need for greater scrutiny of public administration, as seen in the Fulton Report and the White Paper on the Reform of the Civil Service. The committee's history and background are also informed by the work of academics such as Professor Christopher Pollitt and the European Group for Public Administration, and have been shaped by the policies of Harold Wilson and the Labour Party (UK), as well as the work of Edward Heath and the Conservative Party (UK). The committee's work has been influenced by the Northcote-Trevelyan Report and the Plowden Report, which aimed to promote greater efficiency and effectiveness in public administration, as exemplified by the work of Sir Humphrey Appleby and the Yes Minister series. Category:Select committees of the House of Commons