Parliamentary investigation committees

Sitzungsunterlagen

Instruments of parliamentary oversight

According to Article 27 of the Constitution of Lower Saxony, the State Parliament can and must deploy a parliamentary select committee at the request of one-fifth of MPs. This committee primarily investigates possible abuses in government and administration and any misconduct by politicians. It can hear from witnesses and experts and initiate other investigations by courts and administrative bodies. The select committee summarises its findings in a report to the plenary session. Select committees are considered a powerful organ of parliamentary oversight as they give Parliament very extensive investigative powers.

The State Parliament does not have a parliamentary select committee in action at present.