House of Commons

Question 1

What are the four key functions of the House of Commons

Answer 1

1) prime political forum - method of political debate
2) legislation- ensures executive accounts to parliament and gives parliament some leverage over government
3) scrutiny of polices and administration- expected to sustain, scrutinise and influence rather than block government
4) specific redress- specific issues are addressed here, either that were raised by constituents or through petitions

Question 2

What is parliamentary sovereignty

Answer 2

Parliament has ultimate law making authority over all bodies in the UK

It can pass, amend or repeal any law without challenge from any other UK institution

Question 3

What is the ‘decline of legislature’

Answer 3

Parliament has lost its supremacy, the exec has taken over

Question 4

What are the two theories about parliaments role

Answer 4

1) parliament should be a vigilant watch dog that effectively holds the government to account
2) seen as a debating chamber, a forum where grievances can be aired

Question 5

What changes did labour make to the House of Commons after 1997

Answer 5

modified the timetable - family friendly hours
PMQs taken to a single half hour slot
elected chairman of select committees- allows for experts to be chosen reducing the power of whips rewarding loyalty

Question 6

What was one of the most important reforms made by the coalition government

Answer 6

The fixed term parliament act 2011- removed power from PM who previously could call a general election whenever. Must now be every 5 years

Question 7

Briefly evaluate:

“ is the House of Commons effective at holding the government to account “

Answer 7

✅select committees
✅PMQs
❌public bill committee
❌highly effective whip system

Question 8

How do select committees hold the government to account

Answer 8

Set there own agendas and act free of party control and so produce unanimous cross party reports

They can compel ministers for questioning

Question 9

How do PMQs hold the government to account

Answer 9

Weekly and very public
Pm is questioned about there decisions

A very public test of confidence and back bench support of both the PM and leader of the opposition

The PM is able to see lists of questions put forward however supplementary questions often catch them unaware

Question 10

What are some of the problems of the public Bill committee

What does this limit

Answer 10

There is a lack of subject specific scrutiny and a lack of expertise
Can damage the quality of legislation

Can damage how effective hoC holds govt to account

Question 11

What are some of the issues of the whip system

What does this limit

Answer 11

The highly effective whip system in parliament forces MPs to “toe the line” and support the government
There are often career damaging consequences of defying whiten

Question 12

What is the job of the opposition

Answer 12

Oppose
Scrutinise
Criticise

Question 13

What is the job of the backbench business committee

Answer 13

Scrutiny and control of government spending

Question 14

What are three of the advantages of select committees

Answer 14

can have major impact of government policy (eg report on gulf war syndrome)
provides detailed information to the government and general public as there findings are published online
seen as more important than standing committees (which only debate one issue) and so are well attended)

Question 15

What are some of the disadvantages of select committees

Answer 15

lack time,resources, staff, expertise and power to be more than an irritant to govt
govt has to respond to criticisms but can simply ignore criticisms and recommendations
backbencher May be too afraid of being too critical of there own party in case it harms there promotion hopes