There are three Grand Committees in the House of Commons. They are : Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The committees can deal with matters relating to the concerned country only.
Scottish Grand Committees
All the 72 Scottish MPs fall under the Scottish Grand Committee. The Scottish Grand Committee might meet anywhere either in Scotland or in Westminster. Usually it takes into consideration those Bills that are referred for a second reading. Now a days UK Parliament Bills relating to Scotland only are very rare since the inception of the Scottish parliament.
However it entertains questions, statements, debates and other matters regarding Scotland. I n the last few years, the Committee has not met.
Grand Committee of Welsh
The Grand Committee of Welsh comprises of 40 MPs from Welsh and 5 other members. It discusses and holds debates on matters relating to Wales. It also discusses about the government programmes announced in the Queen’s Speech in the opening of the Parliament.
The Grand Committee of Northern Ireland
The Grand Committee of Northern Ireland comprises of 18 MPs from Northern Ireland and 25 other members. It discusses and holds debates relating important matters of Northern Ireland.
The Grand Committee of the House of Lords
Bills that are not committed to any Committee are discussed and debated in the Grand Committee of the House of Lords. The functions of the Grand Committee of the House of Lords is more or less similar to that of a Committee of the Whole House, the only exception is that voting is not allowed. All decisions must be unanimous. Any Lord might attend a Grand Committee Meeting.
