ABSTRACT
The second and third parts of this volume deal with the committees in the Swedish and Icelandic parliaments respectively. As in Scotland, the chairpersons (convenors) of the parliamentary committees were interviewed in-depth - a modified version of the same questionnaire was used. The aim was to gain an understanding of the internal dynamics of the committees, the priorities attached to the various committee functions and the role of the committees in the legislative process. The committees in the Scottish, Swedish and Icelandic parliaments have broadly comparable powers. But do they operate in a broadly comparable fashion? Moreover, what does a study of the Swedish and Icelandic committees indicate about the Scottish committee system? Are there lessons to be learned and, if so, are they on the Scandinavian or Scottish side? The present chapter focuses on the Swedish Riksdag and, in particular, the challenges of chairing a Riksdag committee.
