Central Government and Accountability

Question 1

Are cabinet discussions available for the public to see?

Answer 1

No, cabinet discussions are confidential

Question 2

Can a minister take a different view on a point decided by cabinet?

Answer 2

No, cabinet decisions bind all ministers

Question 3

Can the PM make a decision that binds cabinet by informing them that the decision has been made?

Answer 3

Yes, after consulting select ministers and advisers

Question 4

Who heads up a government department?

Answer 4

A Secretary of State

Question 5

Where do government departments derive their authority?

Answer 5

Statute or Royal Prerogative

Question 6

What is the Carltona Doctrine?

Answer 6

When Parliament grants a power to a Secretary of State, Parliament accepts that in practice the power can be exercised by a civil servant in that SOS’s department

Question 7

What is the purpose of government departments?

Answer 7

1. Govern according to law and policy (implementation)
2. Develop new policy

Question 8

What happens when government needs to implement new policy?

Answer 8

It introduces a bill to parliament to change the law and give it the power to implement said policy

Question 9

To whom do civil servants owe their duties?

Answer 9

The Crown, not the minister

Question 10

What is the main function of the Privy Council?

Answer 10

To pass Orders In Council (type of legislation)

Question 11

Where does the Privy Council derive its legislative function from?

Answer 11

Royal prerogative and statute

Question 12

What type of legislation are Orders in Council?

Answer 12

Those made under Royal Prerogative are primary legislation and others made under statute are secondary legislation

Question 13

Give examples of Orders in Council?

Answer 13

Approving text of Royal Charters creating new public institutions, universities or learned societies

Question 14

Who appoints the privy council and for what term are they appointed?

Answer 14

Monarch on advice from the PM, for life

All Cabinet Ministers are appointed

Question 15

How does the Privy Council meet?

Answer 15

In secret with the Monarch who is joined by Three PC members, who are all government ministers

Question 16

What is the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council?

Answer 16

Hears appeals on points of law from some Commonwealth Nations or British Overseas Territories (Bahamas, Jamaica, Caribbean, Falkland, cayman)

Question 17

Who is the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council made up of?

Answer 17

Supreme Court Justices appointed to the role by the Privy Council

Question 18

What are the two key elements of collective responsibility of the government?

Answer 18

1. Confidentiality of discussions
2. Unanimity among ministers once a decision is made

Question 19

Can a Minister dissent in public about a decision made by the Cabinet?

Answer 19

No, if he does not support it, he must resign

Question 20

Name the key aspects of Individual Responsibility of Ministers?

Answer 20

1. Duty not to mislead parliament
2. Responsibility and accountability for their department
3. Conducting themselves well in private

Question 21

Explain the Ministerial Duty to not mislead parliament?

Answer 21

Ministers must give accurate information or correct inaccurate information

Question 22

What happens when a Minister knowingly misled parliament?

Answer 22

They are expected to resign

Question 23

Explain the duty to (i) give account and (ii) take responsibility that a Minister has ?

Answer 23

1. Give account = respond to concerns/criticisms of Parliament to ensure confidence of Parliament in that department
2. take responsibility for actions of their department (including resignation)

Question 24

What is the difference between a policy failure and an operational failure?

Answer 24

Policy failure is something the Minister accounts for, operational failures will entitle the minister to give an account and take steps to avoid a future failure

Question 25

What governs a Ministers private conduct?

Answer 25

The Ministerial Code which is enforced by the PM

Question 26

What is Prime Minister’s Question Time?

Answer 26

When the PM answers questions about the conduct of government from MPs of all parties

Question 27

How many questions can the leader of the opposition ask during PM Question Time?

Answer 27

6

Question 28

How often are Ministers of each department questioned in Parliament?

Answer 28

Once every 5 weeks

Question 29

What questions during Ministerial question time are not permitted?

Answer 29

Questions about
1. Local authorities
2. Monarch
3. Affairs of other countries
4. Matters devolved to other territories
5. A Case being heard in court

Question 30

How are urgent questions asked?

Answer 30

An MP can apply to Speaker to ask a question that day which is granted if it is pressing, of public interest and there is no other way for the issue to be debated

Question 31

What are Select Committees of Parliament?

Answer 31

Departmental Select Committees shadow government departments and other committees cut across departmentsW

Question 32

What do Select Committees do?

Answer 32

Investigate matters
Question Ministers/witnesses
Invite experts to give evidence

Question 33

What is the Liason Committee

Answer 33

Formed of the chairs of the Select Committees who, twice a year, question the PM