However, members who wish to express dissent may move amendments to the chairman's draft report or propose an alternative draft report. Amendments moved or alternative drafts proposed are recorded in the minutes of proceedings of the committee, together with a record of any vote. The minutes of proceedings are published with the report whenever a difference of opinion has been recorded in a division. When a committee has agreed its report, an order is made for the report to be printed, usually with the evidence taken by the committee. The government have undertaken to respond in writing to the reports of the European Union Committee, if possible, within two months of publication, and to the reports of other select committees within six months.
Debate takes place after the government has responded, unless the committee wishes otherwise.
There is no set time limit for government responses to reports from the Delegated Powers and Deregulation Committee, as these need to be made in good time for amendments to be tabled to the bill in question. These responses are made available to frontbench spokesmen on the bill, and placed in the Library of the House. A committee may make a special report on incidental matters relating to its powers, functions or proceedings. Committees have used this procedure to invite evidence, or to review their own work over a period. Joint Committees 9.38 Joint committees of both Houses of Parliament usually have an equal number of members from each House, but this is a matter for arrangement between the Houses.