Parliament and Government Flashcards
1
Q
Select Committees
A
departmental committees that investigate and enquire into the workings of a government department.
2
Q
what can select committees do?
A
- choose issues to investiage
- call witnesses from inside and outside politics
- access restricted documents
- question witnesses
- publicise issues
- report their findings to the HOC
3
Q
why are select committees important?
A
- scrutinise government strategy, policy,spending and appoitments
- scrutinise legislation and its implementation
- advise the commons on legislation
- engages the public.
4
Q
non departmental select committees
A
- liaison committee, made up the chairs of departmental select committee
- public accounts committee, examines government expenditure
- public administration and constituional affiars committee, examines constitutional reform and role of civil service
5
Q
role of opposition
A
- forms a government in waiting
- has right of first response to the government
- scrutinieses specific departments
- recevies an opposition to fund to help challenge the government
6
Q
limitations of opposition
A
- government usually hold majority
- it is often reactive than proactive
- government enjoys full service to civil service
7
Q
factors which affect the relationship between parliament and government
A
- size of government’s majority
- unity of party
- popularity of PM
- nature of issues faced
- strength of opposition
8
Q
wright reform
A
- election of select committee chairs, more independent from gov control
- salary for select committee chairs
- creation of backbench business committee, gave mps more control over setting agenda in parliament
- introduction of e- petitions
9
Q
fixed- term parliament act
A
- PM cannot trigger an early election without consent of parliament
- early election request requires 2/3 vote
- PM cannot simply make any issue a confidence issue, harder for PMs to control rebellious backbench MPs.
