Following mounting concern about some of the problems of adoption and fostering, a departmental committee was set up to investigate.

This function is now discharged by departmental select committees.

With occasional exceptions the new departmental committees have worked in a parliamentary spirit as opposed to a party spirit.

Local or departmental committees are grouped in regional federations.

Many statutes are the result of recommendations made by the Royal Commissions and departmental committees.

Although never taking Ministerial office, Wells's experience of the law was used on departmental committees.

Robathan spent four years on the departmental select committee between 1997 and 2001.

Regional and departmental committees relay the actions of the federation on a local level.

In 2009, the government hosted a national workshop for these departmental committees to share challenges and best practices.

Sometimes one department member makes the decision, but usually a departmental committee reviews textbooks.