The committee can meet after a King's Speech or budget statement to consider the impact the legislation and finances outlined would have on Wales. It also provides an opportunity for MPs to question ministers and debate current matters, and for ministers to make statements. There are between three and six committee meetings per year.
History
Initial attempts at setting up a Grand Committee for Wales were made in 1888 and again in the mid-1890s; however both attempts were unsuccessful.
The proposal was revived in 1958 by Ness Edwards MP, and was accepted by the Procedure Committee in 1959.[5] On 5 April 1960, an order was made in the House of Commons establishing it.[6] The first meeting of the Grand Committee took place on 11 May 1960.[7]
Proceedings of the Welsh Grand Committee were conducted in English only until February 2017, when translation facilities were installed allowing proceedings to be conducted bilingually in English and in Welsh.[8]