Standing committees in the UK House of Commons exist to examine bills in detail after they have passed their second reading in the House so as to render them ‘more generally acceptable’ (Erskine May) before they receive their third reading. All committees are composed in proportion to party strength in the House, although membership is reconstituted for each bill according to MPs' skills and interests. Internationally, ‘standing committee’ more often refers to a committee which in the United Kingdom would be called a select committee. In some legislatures attempts have been made to create committees which combine standing and select committee functions, notably in the UK the subject committees of the Scottish Parliament and National Assembly for Wales.
— Jonathan Bradbury
