Committee of Ways and Means
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Committee of Ways and Means is a government body that is charged with reviewing and making recommendations for government budgets. The term "Ways and Means" originated with the English Parliament (later the British Parliament and UK Parliament) and refers to the provision of revenue to meet national expenditure requirements and to forward the objectives of economic policy. Ways and Means are principally provided by the imposition of taxation.
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[edit] Britain
In Britain, budget resolutions, upon which the Finance Bill is based, are in fact Ways and Means resolutions. Ways and Means resolutions are also used to make provision for an increase or decrease in national debt (through the Consolidated Fund or the National Loans Fund).
The Committee of Ways and Means, in effect between 1641 and 1967, was the body responsible for proposing changes in taxation to Government. Any Minister could make proposals to the committee. The Chairman of Ways and Means, an appointed role, presided over the Committee.
The Committee of Ways and Means was abolished in 1967 and the responsibility for all fiscal matters, including taxation, now rests with the Chancellor of the Exchequer. However, the position of Chairman of Ways and Means still exists since the Chairman may take the place of the Speaker in that individual's absence. Traditionally, the title of Chairman of Ways and Means is conferred on the Deputy Speaker of the House. It is an appointed position resulting from a motion tabled at the beginning of each Parliament by the Leader of the House. The Chairman of Ways and Means has two deputies: the 1st and 2nd Deputy Chairman of Ways and Means. Thus there are three Deputy Speakers who may take the place of the Speaker.
The Speaker and his deputies are considered independent, do not normally vote, and are not included in the figures of party strengths within the House of Commons.[dubious ]
The current Chairman of Ways and Means is Sir Alan Haselhurst.
[edit] United States of America
A similar committee was adopted by the United States Congress where it currently exists as the powerful United States House Committee on Ways and Means.
[edit] Canada
The Canadian federal government, which follows the British Parliamentary System, also adopted the term "Ways and Means" within its tax system. For example, the Minister of Finance introduces changes to its fiscal plan via a Ways and Means Motion to Amend the Income Tax Act. The Minister tables the motion in Parliament and then presents the budget highlights in a formal budget speech. Only after a federal budget is tabled may the government's detailed taxation plans be made public.
The current federal Minister of Finance is Jim Flaherty.
