Select commitees

Question 1

Select committees - challenging the executive

Answer 1

Srutinise government policy, shadowing the work of major government departments. They do this by carrying out inquiries, writing reports, carrying out question and answer sessions

Question 2

Role select committees play

Answer 2

Government has a majority on the committees, reflecting their Commons majority, so can dominate them
Whips control individual appointments to the committees, meaning loyal MPs can be placed on them

Question 3

The opposition?

Answer 3

given privileges at debates, for example during PMQs the opposition leader can ask the Prime Minister more questions
Opposition parties can choose subjects for debate, and often use the day to criticise and scrutinise government policy and actions

Question 4

Opposition - less significant

Answer 4

no real ability to initiate legislation
Lack of resources relative to government (for example, the civil service is duty bound to support and enact government policy)
0ften in a position of weakness and may be divided, as they will have lost the election