What is the purpose of parliamentary committees?

• A. To pass laws without debate.
• B. To appoint judges.
• C. To scrutinise legislation, investigate issues, hear evidence, and report recommendations.
• D. To manage election funding.

Answer: (C)

Parliamentary committees exist to examine how laws will work and to check government actions in detail. They scrutinise proposed legislation, investigate issues, hear evidence from experts and stakeholders, and report recommendations to Parliament. This process helps ensure laws are clear, practical, and informed by real-world impacts, while also holding the government to account by reviewing programs and policies in depth. For example, a committee might study a health bill, call doctors and patient groups to the table, question budget implications, and publish a report with suggested amendments. The government then responds to those recommendations. These committees don’t pass laws themselves, don’t appoint judges, and don’t manage election funding—that’s not their role.