Accountability - Collective Ministerial Responsibility And Select Committees

Question 1

What is collective ministerial responsibility?

Answer 1

It is a fundamental convention in the British constitution, whereby the Government is collectively accountable to Parliament for its actions, decisions and policies.

Question 2

If a Minister personally disagrees with a Government policy, they must still publicly support it.

True or false?

Answer 2

True

Question 3

How can collective ministerial responsibility be distinguished from individual?

Answer 3

Collective = provides the means by which Parliament can hold the Government as a singular body to account.

Individual = provides the means by which Parliament can focus on an individual Minister.

Question 4

What can collective ministerial responsibility be described as in regards to the constitution?

Answer 4

It is a constitutional convention , rather than a constitutional requirement.

Question 5

What three things is collective ministerial responsibility said to deliver?

Answer 5

• confidence
• unanimity
• confidentiality

Question 6

Why can collective ministerial responsibility be described as “flexible”?

Answer 6

It was suspended in 1975 and 2016 for the EU referendums

Question 7

What are select committees?

Answer 7

Cross-party groups of MPs (not ministers), Lords or both.

Question 8

What is the overall aim of select committees?

Answer 8

“To hold Ministers and Departments to account for their policy and decision-making and to support the House in its control of the supply of public money and scrutiny of legislation.” - House of Commons Liaison Committee

Question 9

What are the different “types” of select committee?

Answer 9

• departmental
• cross-cutting (examines an individual issue)
• domestic (considers aspects of parliamentary procedure)
• legislative (concerned with the legislative process)

Question 10

What are some examples of the work carried out by select committees?

Answer 10

• examine the strategy or policy proposals of a department
• examine implementation of legislation
• conduct scrutiny of draft bills
• scrutinise appointments made by the department

Question 11

What are the differences in structure between Holyrood mandatory and subject committees compared to Westminster’s select committees?

Answer 11

• mandatory and subject committees in Holyrood can introduce legislation, unlike Westminster select committees.
• Holyrood has merged, permanent, multi-functional committees
• both sets of committees in Holyrood have a greater workload than equivalent select committees.
• larger pressure on MSPs due to size of Holyrood

Question 12

How do select committees summon individuals to appear before them?

Answer 12

• cannot summon MPs, Ministers or non-Uk nationals (unless they are within the jurisdiction of the UK)
• practice is to informally invite individuals to appear; committees do have the power to summon
• diversity of witnesses

Question 13

What is the main argument as to why select committees are ineffective?

Answer 13

The role of select committees is advisory - they can only make recommendation, and the Government is not obliged to accept findings.

However, the Government is expected to respond.