ABSTRACT
The National Democratic Institute (NDI) in the United States described the ideal committee in ‘almost all democratic legislatures’ as being composed of a smaller group of members designated to do the detailed work of the House.1 The committee offers a less formal, less partisan atmosphere in which members can consider estimates or legislation with less control from the executive arm of government. Committees, if functioning in the ideal state, can be the focus of public input and the pipeline between the constituents and the government. This worldwide view is also applicable to the Westminster committee model.
