Which of the following is NOT a typical action when engaging with a Parliament's select committees?

• A. Submitting evidence
• B. Lobbying the committee chair directly in private meetings
• C. Requesting inquiries
• D. Giving testimony

Answer: (B)

Engaging with select committees is done through formal channels that keep the process transparent and evidence-based. The typical ways to participate are submitting written evidence for the record, requesting that the committee inquire into a matter, and giving testimony during public hearings. These avenues allow the committee to consider information openly and weigh it alongside other evidence.

Lobbying the committee chair directly in private meetings, however, is not part of the standard process. It bypasses the committee’s established procedures and can create perceptions of bias or improper influence. The chair is there to manage proceedings impartially and to base decisions on the formal evidence and public testimony collected during the inquiry, not on private persuasion. If you want to influence the outcome, use the official channels: submit evidence, request an inquiry through the proper mechanisms, and participate by giving testimony when invited.