grand committee
British Parliament
noun
1 Historical each of the four committees (for religion, for grievances, for courts of justice, and for trade) annually appointed by the House of Commons until 1832 (though they had long before that date ceased actually to sit); formerly also (in the 17th cent.) †a committee of the whole house.
2A committee of members of the House of Commons meeting to consider a specific matter of common interest, specifically (formerly) either of two standing committees appointed every session (1882–8) to consider bills relating to matters of law and trade (obsolete ); (subsequently) any of a number of committees formed to debate matters relating to Scottish, Welsh, or Northern Irish affairs.
3(In the House of Lords) an ad hoc committee convened for the consideration of individual Bills which are not sent to a Committee of the Whole House.
Origin
Early 17th century; earliest use found in Original Journals of the House of Commons.