Parliament

Question 1

Functions of Parliament…(8)

Answer 1

1) Legitimation
2) Scrutiny
3) Opposition
4) Accountability
5) Debate legislation
6) Select Committees
7) Representation
8) Deliberation

Question 2

Functions of House of Lords…(4)

Answer 2

1) Delay
2) Protect Minority Interests
3) Obstruct legislation to force compromise
4) Broaden Representation

Question 3

Features of House of Commons…(5)

Answer 3

1) Fully elected
2) Speaker of the house sits to one side
3) Govt. to the right
4) Opposition to the left
5) Cons 316, DUP 10, Labour 258, SNP 35

Question 4

Features of House of Lords…(3)

Answer 4

1) Unelected
2) 90 hereditary peers
3) 26 Bishops, 244 Cons, 181 crossbench, 188 Labour

Question 5

Examples of select committees…(4)

Answer 5

1) Business innovation and skills
2) Children, schools and families
3) Communities and local government
4) Culture, media and sport

Question 6

Parliamentary committees…?

Answer 6

Cross party groups of backbench MPs, usually between 11 and 13 strong, led by a chairman and chairwoman.

Question 7

Role of select committees in the House of Commons…?

Answer 7

Focuses on the work of the government

Question 8

Role of select committees in the House of Lords…?

Answer 8

Focuses on Europe, Science, Economics, Communications, UK Constitution and international relations

Question 9

Two key powers of House of Commons…

Answer 9

1) Supreme Legislative power

2) Can remove the current government

Question 10

Strengths of House of Commons…(4)

Answer 10

1) Members elected by electorate
2) Political system held through beliefs of free voting, free speech and open/equal treatment before the law
3) Diversity of the House of Commons
4) Debating Forum

Question 11

Weakness of House of Commons…(4)

Answer 11

1) Role of the executive
2) PM not elected by the electorate
3) PM is disposable as Parliament wishes
4) Strong opposition hinders parliamentary function

Question 12

Strengths of the House of Lords…(4)

Answer 12

1) Many peers are independent from party control - more effective in controlling govt.
2) Peers represent wide range of interests and expertise
3) Lords can delay and force compromise
4) Lords have more effective time to conduct debates and to scrutinise legislation

Question 13

Weakness of the House of Lords…(5)

Answer 13

1) Lacks democratic legitimacy
2) Powers of Lords limited by law
3) Proposed amendments can be overturned by the Commons
4) Limited role is developing legislation
5) Find it difficult to hold the govt. to account

Question 14

Reforms made to the House of Commons…(5)

Answer 14

1) Reduction of PMQs from two sessions to one longer session
2) Facilities of MPs improved - introduction of new office block
3) Membership of select committees placed in the hands of MPs rather than party whips
4) Introduction of select committees 1979
5) Blair submitted himself to questioning sessions (Liaison committee twice a year)

Question 15

Future of Lords reform…(3)

Answer 15

1) A fully elected chamber
2) A fully appointed chamber
3) A partly elected/ partly appointed

Question 16

Arguments for a fully elected chamber…(4)

Answer 16

1) More democratic
2) Eliminates corrupt practices in the House of Lords
3) Democratic balance against the power of government
4) Smaller parties would have greater representation if elected proportionally

Question 17

Arguments against a fully elected chamber…(4)

Answer 17

1) Competition leading to deadlock
2) The need of elections would lead to voter fatigue
3) Creates a less decisive government
4) Party hacks could lead to domination in both Houses

Question 18

Arguments for an appointed second chamber…(3)

Answer 18

1) Opportunity to bring people into politics who otherwise would not wish to stand for election
2) Ensure that all major groups and associations in society could be represented
3) Brings more independents into the political system

Question 19

Arguments against an appointed second chamber…(3)

Answer 19

1) Corruption through the hands of those who have the power to appoint
2) Undemocratic
3) Lacks legitimacy and public support