Parliament and the executive

Question 1

Parliamentary privilege

Answer 1

The right of MPs to make statements in HoC without being subject to outside law

Question 2

How have MPs played an increasingly significant role within parliament (2)

Answer 2

Creation of the Backbench Business Committee in 2010,

-allowed to choose the topic of debate for 35 days in each parliamentary session

Question 3

Influence of Backbench MPs (2)

Answer 3

• Rise in the number of backbench rebellions

- Increase in the use of ‘urgent questions’, allows an MP to raise an important matter requiring an immediate answer

Question 4

Limits on the influence of backbenchers (3)

Answer 4

• Can draw attention to issues, but doesn’t mean that any action will be taken
• government has a majority in public bill committees
• Ties of party loyalty, party whips

Question 5

Work of select committees (3)

Answer 5

-Scrutinise policy, administration and spending of each government department

Question 6

How is the composition of select committees representative

Answer 6

-Reflects the balance of party strength in the HoC

Question 7

Why are select committees important (3/4)

Answer 7

• Work is respected because it is evidence based
• scope of the committees work has widened in recent years
• Long-serving members can accumulate more knowledge of a particular policy area
• Can have a direct influence of government policy

Question 8

Limitations of select committees (3/4)

Answer 8

• Government accepts around 40% of committee recommendations, rarely involve major policy changes
• Majority of select-committee members will be drawn from governing party
• Only cover limited range of topics
• High turnover rate of membership, some MPs do not attend regularly