 What do committees do? Committees are small groups of MSPs who look at specific subjects such as health, the economy or justice. They play a central role in the work of the Scottish Parliament because unlike the UK Parliament, the Scottish Parliament is a single chamber Parliament. The work of committees includes legislation. Committees can consider and amend proposals for new laws. They can also propose new laws themselves. Inquiries. Committees can investigate any area that is within their remit and publish recommendations. Petitions. Committees can consider and report on petitions that have been submitted by members of the public and groups who wish to raise an issue. How do committees work? Each committee is chaired by a convener and most of the current committees have seven or eleven MSPs as members. Members reflect the balance of the various political parties and groupings in the Scottish Parliament. Committees invite members of the public to give their views on the issues they are considering. They can also invite any person to attend a meeting as a witness. Witnesses give evidence related to the business of the committee.