The Select Committee on Reform of the House of Commons was appointed by the House of Commons on 20 July 2009 to consider and report on four specified matters: the appointment of members and chairmen of select committees; the appointment of the Chairman and Deputy Chairmen of Ways and Means; scheduling business in the House; enabling the public to initiate debates and proceedings in the House and closely connected matters. To enhance the credibility of select committees the report recommends: chairs of most select committees should be directly elected by secret ballot of the House using the alternative vote ; members of most committees should be elected from within party groups by secret ballot; a reduction in the numbers of members on each committee and a reduction in the number of committees. On business, the report recommends: a backbench Business Committee elected by secret ballot of all Members, responsible for all business which is not strictly Ministerial; at least one day a week, or its equivalent, should be given over to discussing matters that members feel should be prioritised. The Committee concludes that the House is insufficiently responsive to representations from the public on issues of concern. Discussions should begin to find ways to strengthen the petitions system, with the possibility of introducing e-petitions and the Procedure Committee becoming the Procedure and Petitions Committee for a trial period from January 2010.