Health Select Committee

On 25 June 1979, the House of Commons passed the motion that established departmental select committees, including the Social Services select committee.

On 19 October 1990, following the splitting of the Department of Health and Social Security, the House agreed to replace the Social Services Committee of 11 members, with two separate 11-member committees. The Health Select Committee and the Social Security Select Committee were established.

The Health Select Committee (later the Health and Social Care Select Committee) was established as a House of Commons committee, composed of MPs. Its role would be to scrutinise the policy decisions, expenditure and administration of the Department of Health and related bodies.

The committee was given the freedom to select its own topics for inquiry and the power to call individuals and organisations to give evidence.