Parliament

Question 1

What part does religion play in the lack of representation in the lords?

Answer 1

There are 26 Bishops representing the CofE, however no other religion is represented.

Question 2

How are life peers appointed?

Answer 2

PM’s power of patronage

Question 3

What are the key functions of the House of Commons? Examples?

Answer 3

Debate
Scrutiny - (select committees)
Provide ministers
Legislate - (passing of any bill)
Legitimate
Representation (8% elected are of ethnic background)

Question 4

What % of MPs elected in 2017 were of ethnic minority?

Answer 4

8%

Question 5

Examples of PMQs being ineffective:

Answer 5

Planted questions
Questions avoided/ not answered properly
Unruly nature

Question 6

What are the two theories of representation?

Answer 6

Trustee

Delegate

Question 7

Name a problem with trustee theory of representation:

Answer 7

Constituency interest’s may conflict with those of the MP’s party.

Question 8

Functions of the HOL:

Answer 8

Representation
Investigating public policy
Scrutinising government
Law making (lords can propose a bill exactly as the commons can)

Question 9

In what way is the HOL effectively representative?

Answer 9

The reduction of hereditary peers to 92

Question 10

In what way is the HOL not effective in law making?

Answer 10

It cannot stop any legislation passing through which it disagrees with

Question 11

What is the Salisbury Convention?

Answer 11

HOL will not oppose policies from the manifesto of the government

Question 12

What sort of system does the UK have with respect to chambers?

Answer 12

Bicameral

Question 13

In what 2 ways does the HOC effectively fulfil its functions?

Answer 13

Scrutinising ministers and departments via select committees.
Private member’s bills which become laws.

Question 14

In what 2 ways can the HOL effectively fulfil its functions?

Answer 14

No single party controls the lords, increasing non-partisanship during scrutiny.
Even when govt has a large commons majority, Lords can delay and amend bills.

Question 15

What are the stages of passing a bill? (in order)

Answer 15

1st Reading
2nd Reading
Committee stage
Report stage
3rd Reading
Amendments Considered 
Royal Assent

Question 16

Over what type of law does the HOC hold more legislative power than the HOL?

Answer 16

Financial - reference 1911 & 1949 Parliament acts

Question 17

What are select committees?

Answer 17

Groups of MPs or Lords who investigate and scrutinise government work as well as other public organisations in the public interest.

Question 18

What are three ways Parliament places checks and balances upon the executive?

Answer 18

Select Committees
The Opposition
PMQs

Question 19

2 ways select committees are effective:

Answer 19

They can collate evidence and compile lengthy reviews on policy issues.
Select Committees often pressure ministers to perform well or face public scrutiny.

Question 20

When may the opposition be ineffective in scrutiny?

Answer 20

Governing party has large majority.

The opposition are split on policy issue.

Question 21

Ways in which select committee’s scrutiny can be limited?

Answer 21

Government has majority on the committees
Whips control individual appointments to the committees
Select committees can only criticize, not change, government policy.

Question 22

3 Influences on MPs whilst voting:

Answer 22

Whip system - reference how backbench MPS are not bound by collective ministerial responsibility
Trustee Theory - may use their own experience/ conscience
Delegate theory - influenced directly by what their constituency want