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Committee publication · Correspondence · 20 July 2026

Letter from the Chair to the Leader of the House in relation to Ministerial availability for select committee sessions, dated 2 July 2026

From: Liaison Committee (Commons)

Summary

The Liaison Committee Chair writes to the Leader of the House requesting improved ministerial availability for select committee scrutiny. The Home Affairs Committee has struggled to secure regular evidence sessions with the Home Secretary. The committee expects Secretaries of State to appear before their departmental select committees at least three times annually and urges the government to avoid short-notice cancellations and facilitate cross-departmental ministerial engagement.

Key findings

  • Home Affairs Committee has experienced difficulty securing regular evidence sessions with the Secretary of State for the Home Department
  • Liaison Committee recommends Secretaries of State should appear before their departmental select committees at least three times per year
  • While this expectation is generally met across government, some cancellations at short notice are occurring
  • Select committees face wider difficulties securing cross-departmental ministerial engagement for inquiries spanning multiple departments
  • Committee suggests departments consider alternatives such as senior officials appearing alongside lead ministers where appropriate

Tone

Procedural

Topics

parliamentary-scrutinyministerial-accountabilityselect-committees

Key actors

Dame Meg Hillier MP, Sir Alan Campbell MP, Dame Karen Bradley MP, Liaison Committee, Home Affairs Committee

Notable line

“… regular evidence from the Secretary of State for the relevant department is essential to departmental select committees' ability to fulfil their role in scrutinising the department.”

Key Quotes

“… select committees should reasonably expect to hold evidence sessions with their corresponding Secretary of State at least three times a year.”
— Dame Meg Hillier MP · Setting expectations for ministerial availability
“While we understand that it may not always be possible for Ministers to appear before committees other than their departmental select committee, we would encourage departments to consider alternatives, such as allowing senior officials to appear alongside the lead Minister where appropriate.”
— Dame Meg Hillier MP · Proposing solutions to cross-departmental engagement difficulties
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Source · parliament.uk record ↗