Central Government and Accountability Flashcards

1
Q

Are cabinet discussions available for the public to see?

A

No, cabinet discussions are confidential

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2
Q

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

A

No, cabinet decisions bind all ministers

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3
Q

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

A

Yes, after consulting select ministers and advisers

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4
Q

Who heads up a government department?

A

A Secretary of State

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5
Q

Where do government departments derive their authority?

A

Statute or Royal Prerogative

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6
Q

What is the Carltona Doctrine?

A

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

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7
Q

What is the purpose of government departments?

A
  1. Govern according to law and policy (implementation)
  2. Develop new policy
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8
Q

What happens when government needs to implement new policy?

A

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

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9
Q

To whom do civil servants owe their duties?

A

The Crown, not the minister

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10
Q

What is the main function of the Privy Council?

A

To pass Orders In Council (type of legislation)

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11
Q

Where does the Privy Council derive its legislative function from?

A

Royal prerogative and statute

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12
Q

What type of legislation are Orders in Council?

A

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

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13
Q

Give examples of Orders in Council?

A

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

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14
Q

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

A

Monarch on advice from the PM, for life

All Cabinet Ministers are appointed

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15
Q

How does the Privy Council meet?

A

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

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16
Q

What is the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council?

A

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

17
Q

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

A

Supreme Court Justices appointed to the role by the Privy Council

18
Q

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

A
  1. Confidentiality of discussions
  2. Unanimity among ministers once a decision is made
19
Q

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

A

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

20
Q

Name the key aspects of Individual Responsibility of Ministers?

A
  1. Duty not to mislead parliament
  2. Responsibility and accountability for their department
  3. Conducting themselves well in private
21
Q

Explain the Ministerial Duty to not mislead parliament?

A

Ministers must give accurate information or correct inaccurate information

22
Q

What happens when a Minister knowingly misled parliament?

A

They are expected to resign

23
Q

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

A
  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)
24
Q

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

A

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

25
What governs a Ministers private conduct?
The Ministerial Code which is enforced by the PM
26
What is Prime Minister's Question Time?
When the PM answers questions about the conduct of government from MPs of all parties
27
How many questions can the leader of the opposition ask during PM Question Time?
6
28
How often are Ministers of each department questioned in Parliament?
Once every 5 weeks
29
What questions during Ministerial question time are not permitted?
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
30
How are urgent questions asked?
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
31
What are Select Committees of Parliament?
Departmental Select Committees shadow government departments and other committees cut across departmentsW
32
What do Select Committees do?
Investigate matters Question Ministers/witnesses Invite experts to give evidence
33
What is the Liason Committee
Formed of the chairs of the Select Committees who, twice a year, question the PM
34