Parliamentary Scrutiny (Commons and Lords)

Question 1

What is parliamentary scrutiny?

Answer 1

Parliamentary scrutiny refers to the oversight and monitoring of the executive branch’s actions and decisions by the legislature, ensuring government accountability, preventing abuse of power, and maintaining democratic principles.

Question 2

What is the purpose of parliamentary scrutiny?

Answer 2

To hold the executive accountable, prevent abuse of power, and uphold democratic principles.

Question 3

How does Parliament oversee the executive?

Answer 3

By holding the executive accountable for its policies, decisions, and expenditure.

Question 4

What is the opposition’s role in parliamentary scrutiny?

Answer 4

The opposition seeks to expose government errors and challenge its policies.

Question 5

What is ministerial accountability?

Answer 5

Ministers, particularly senior ones, are required to explain and defend their policies in Parliament.

Question 6

Why are most senior ministers in the Commons?

Answer 6

Because the Commons is the central arena of political activity.

Question 7

Provide an example of ministerial representation in the Lords.

Answer 7

Theresa May’s first Cabinet (2016) included only one Lord, Baroness Evans, while junior ministers represented departments in the Lords.

Question 8

What are the mechanisms of parliamentary scrutiny?

Answer 8

Questions to ministers, select committees, and debates.

Question 9

What are oral and written questions in parliamentary scrutiny?

Answer 9

MPs and Lords can submit questions requiring ministers to provide answers, promoting transparency.

Question 10

What is Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs)?

Answer 10

A high-profile weekly event in the Commons where the PM answers questions.

Question 11

What are the criticisms of PMQs?

Answer 11

Often theatrical, focused on point-scoring between the PM and opposition leader rather than substantive scrutiny.

Question 12

What are select committees, and what do they do?

Answer 12

Committees in the Commons that shadow individual government departments, scrutinising policy decisions and spending.

Question 13

Give an example of a select committee and its role.

Answer 13

The Public Accounts Committee evaluates the effectiveness and value for money of public spending.

Question 14

What are the benefits of select committees?

Answer 14

Evidence-based scrutiny, expert witnesses, and cross-party collaboration that often lead to constructive criticism.

Question 15

How can Commons debates influence policy?

Answer 15

For example, in August 2013, David Cameron’s government was defeated on military action in Syria.

Question 16

What is the Backbench Business Committee, and when was it created?

Answer 16

Created in 2010, it empowers MPs to set debate agendas one day per week, enhancing parliamentary autonomy.

Question 17

What is unique about debates in the Lords?

Answer 17

Lords debates are praised for quality and often involve experts like retired professionals.

Question 18

Why is the practical impact of Lords debates limited?

Answer 18

Due to the Lords’ weaker legislative power.

Question 19

What is the Westminster Model’s focus in scrutiny?

Answer 19

The centrality of Parliament in holding the executive accountable.

Question 20

What is a critique of the Westminster Model?

Answer 20

The government’s majority often undermines true scrutiny in the Commons.

Question 21

What is the Adversarial Model in parliamentary scrutiny?

Answer 21

It highlights the opposition’s role in confronting the government but notes adversarial politics can reduce scrutiny to political theatre.

Question 22

What is the accountability triangle in scrutiny?

Answer 22

Scrutiny involves information, justification, and consequences: Parliament gathers information, demands justification, and ensures consequences for failures.

Question 23

What are the strengths of parliamentary scrutiny?

Answer 23

• Select Committees provide thorough and informed scrutiny.
• Lords’ debates bring expertise and elevate the quality of discussions.
• PMQs and debates ensure high visibility and public engagement

Question 24

What are the weaknesses of parliamentary scrutiny?

Answer 24

• Government majority in the Commons often limits scrutiny.
• PMQs’ theatrical nature undermines substantive policy discussion.
• Lords’ lack of power makes its scrutiny often symbolic.

Question 25

Provide evidence of Commons influencing significant decisions.

Answer 25

The 2013 Syria Debate demonstrates the Commons’ ability to influence significant decisions.

Question 26

How has the Backbench Business Committee boosted scrutiny?

Answer 26

By empowering MPs to shape the agenda and enhance parliamentary autonomy.

Question 27

What impact have select committee reports had on government policy?

Answer 27

For example, Health Committee reports on NHS reforms have led to changes in government policy.

Question 28

Define ministerial accountability.

Answer 28

Ministers’ obligation to Parliament for their department’s actions.

Question 29

What are select committees known for?

Answer 29

Cross-party work and evidence gathering for departmental oversight.