The Welsh Affairs Select Committee is a select committee of the House of Commons in the UK Parliament. The Welsh Affairs Committee is one of the departmentally-related select committees of the House of Commons. Its terms of reference are to examine matters within the responsibility of the Secretary of State for Wales (including relations with the National Assembly for Wales).  

Working methods of the Committee

Select Committees operate normally by conducting inquiries into subjects within their areas of responsibility.  Once a subject has been chosen, and the terms of reference of the inquiry have been agreed, the Committee requests written evidence from interested organisations. Formal evidence sessions are then arranged with the individuals and bodies principally concerned. Informal briefing sessions and visits may also be held.  On the basis of the evidence, a report is drafted under the direction of the Chair, which the Committee considers, may amend, and finally agrees to. The report is then published and the Government is under an obligation to reply to it in due course.

Liaison with the National Assembly for Wales

The way in which the Welsh Affairs Committee (WAC) operates has been affected by devolution and the establishment of the National Assembly for Wales.  The WAC liaises closely with National Assembly Committees through consultation, visits and invitations to appear before each other's committees. This process is still evolving, with the WAC and the National Assembly for Wales Committees looking for new and innovative ways of joint working.

Further details can be found on the House of Commons Welsh Affairs Committee website.