Question

To ask the hon. Member for Broxbourne, representing the House of Commons Commission, what guidance is provided to Select Committees seeking legal advice.

All Select Committees have access to internal legal advice from the Office of Speaker’s Counsel. In the event that external advice is sought, the Office of Speaker’s Counsel will be consulted before external lawyers are appointed.

Only certain committees have power to appoint legal advisers, but Committees may appoint legally qualified persons as Specialist Advisers.