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External organisations and people can’t become members of committees, which are made up of ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ, but they can become members of Cross-Party Groups (CPGs). CPGs meet to discuss a shared interest in a cause or subject. CPGs are made up of:

• organisations
• members of the public
• ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ from all parties

To form a CPG, an MSP must:

• agree to create one
• find out if there’s enough interest in the group from other ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ
• hold a first meeting
• have the approval of the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee to form

CPGs are not part of the Parliament's formal business and shouldn’t be confused with the Parliament’s committee system. They do not have the power to formally ask the Parliament or the Government to consider issues.