EXTRA-Parliamentary control of Executve Flashcards
Where is the scrutiny of the Executive mainly held?
in Public Bill Committees
Where is the more general scrutiny of the executive carried out? (5)
- via questions
- letters
- debates
- Early Day Motions
- parliamentary committees
What are Early Day Motions?
MP’s may table motions for debate on an early day which in most cases never comes, the purpose being to draw attention to an issue. Other MPs add their names to the motion so making known to the government the extent of parliamentary feeling on the matter
How many days are granted to the opposition?
20 days
In what century did the practise of MP’s asking questions of ministers in the House develop?
20th century
What are the 2 reasons for asking an oral question to the relevant departmental minister?
1) To find out information
2) to make a party point, perhaps by raising a constituency issue
c how many written questions are asked per session?
35,000
How many times did PMQ used to be a week and for how long?
twice a week for 15 minutes
How did Tony Blair reform PMQ?
he changed the twice weekly 15 minute sessions to once weekly and a 30 minute session
Who’s leadership did PMQ seriously undermine?
Iain Duncan Smith’s as Conservative leader
Why is Question Time lively and confrontational?
because it takes place -on the floor of the House’
IN what year did a system of departmental select committees ben to function?
1980
How many committees are there currently?
19
What is an advantage of select committees and its members?
They serve the lifetime of the parliament, and are usually re-elected if the party remains in government for another term. This allows the MP’s to gain a real expertise on their subject
in the US congress how many policy specialists are there?
3,500
Why do Public Bill Committees not have the same status as the US congress committees?
this is because in the HOC there is a party dominated legislature, and they do not challenge the executive.
What have many British politicians, especially ministers, express fear in if there was to be an introduction of a US style committee?
this would lead to controlling rather then critiquing the policy and actions of the department concerned
What are the 6 reasons in favour of select committees
- less partisan
- members are well informed
- members can inform others via debates in HOC
- Have made government ore open
- deters misbehaviour of ministers who would be unable to justify such actions
- may persuade government to change course
What are the 5 reasons against select committees
- party whips have tried to keep more independent and effective MPs off committees
- Committees need more resources
- they generate much paperwork, reports are often forgotten
- Ministers attend but sometimes refuse to answer and civil servants can withhold info
- They have a majority of government party members
What is the difference in the duration of public bill committees and select committees?
Public bill committees are appointed every session, select committees are for the duration of parliament
What is the difference in specialism of public bill committees and select committees?
Public bill committees are non-specialist
select committees are specialist,members tend to serve a long term and acquire expert knowledge
What is the difference in the work of public bill committees and select committees?
PC are concert ed with a stage in the legislative process, examining details of bills whereas SC’s monitor and scrutinise the spending, policies and administration of a particular department
What is the difference in size of the public bill committees and select committees?
PC have large bodies of between 16-50 members
SC have around 11 members but up to 16
What is the difference in the power of PC’s and SC’s?
PC’s are traditionally less investigatory but they have the power to take evidence from outside officials and experts since 2006
SC’s are more powerful, equipped with powers to hold hearings and collect evidence
What is the role of Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition?
they provide a regular challenge to the measures and actions of government
What are the 3 main functions of Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition?
1) Opposition opposes government
2) the Opposition supports the government where appropriate
3) The opposition is an alternative government
As an opposition to government what must they do?
they must provide sustained scrutiny, questioning ministerial proposals and test them through debate
What will the opposition try to do when a minister of government arrest to do things in the broad national interest?
they will support them, try to be bi-partisan and cooperative
How dose the opposition act as an alternative government
Needs to provide a convincing range of alternative courses for action
What is the existence of an official opposition party referred to as?
one of the litmus tests of a democracy
How is the importance of the official opposition recognised?
through the payment of short money
In terms of access to information how are the official opposition at a disadvantage?
Ministers have civil servants and political advisers to brief them and know the state of accounts, the opposition do not have such access
In terms of the political agenda how are the official opposition at a disadvantage?
Governments set the political agenda, the opposition only respond to it. Ministers can and sometimes do take over best opposition policies. Moreover it is the PM who determines the date of the next election
Why may there be a problem with activists within the opposition party?
There may be pressure from dispirited activities who may want to push the party back to a more fundamental position in order to see clear water between themselves and ministerial polices. However abandoning the centre ground may alienate moderate, centrist voters
Why can morale be low as the official opposition?
the 4 consecutive winning terms of Conservatives and then the 3 consecutive winning terms of Labour can prove disheartening an lower party morale, this may cause party division
What might be a problem if the opposition reverse party policy too quickly?
the voters may ask why they did not get things right when they were in government
