BBP SG Chapter 3 - Responsible Government: Accountability

Question 1

How can PMs control the Cabinet?

Answer 1

1. able to appoint and dismiss Ministers
2. sets the agenda for meetings - therefore avoiding difficult topics
3. controls remit and membership of Cabinet committees.

Question 2

What are the principles underpinning the Civil Service?

Answer 2

• permanence
• political neutrality
• anonymity

Question 3

What kinds of questions are there in Parliament?

Answer 3

• PM’s Questions
• Oral Questions
• Private Notice Questions
• Questions for Written Answer

Question 4

What are select committees? What are their functions?

Answer 4

• permanent committees
• scrutiny of govt
• scrutiny of procedure, expenses and administration of the House.

Question 5

What powers do select committees have?`

Answer 5

• to ‘send for people and persons’ but cannot compel ministers to attend
• some power through attention of the media

Question 6

What are standing committees? What do they do?

Answer 6

• temporary committees

- formed to examine a bill at the committee stage as it passes through Parl

Question 7

What are the three aspects of collective ministerial responsibility?

Answer 7

• confidence
• unanimity
• confidentiality

Question 8

How does ‘confidence’ work in relation to CMR?

Answer 8

if the Cabinet loses the support and confidence of Parliament it must resign. practically this means losing a Vote of No Confidence.

Question 9

How does unanymity work in relation to CMR?

Answer 9

• once a decision has been reached all ministers should publically agree with government policy
• if they can’t they should resign
• eg resignation of three ministers over Iraq invasion

Question 10

How does confidentiality work in relation to CMR?

Answer 10

it is the duty not to disclose confidential information

Question 11

What are the exceptions to the confidentiality rule in CMR?

Answer 11

1. papers deemed to be in the public domain
2. papers dealing with matters known to foreign governments
3. written opinions of law officers

Question 12

What is individual ministerial responsibility?

Answer 12

-the principle that ministers must take responsibilty for any errors or failures within their own department

Question 13

In what two situations did Maxwell Fyfe believe the minister should resign?

Answer 13

• where there is an explicit order made by a minister he should resign to protect the civil servant who carried it out
• when a civil servant acts properly in carrying out the minister’s policy, the minister should resign

Question 14

In what two situations did Maxwell Fyfe believe the minister should not resign?

Answer 14

• where a civil servant makes a mistake or causes some delay, but not on a major policy issue
• where the civil servant acts reprehensibly without the ministers knowledge or approval