the scrutiny function of parliament

Question 1

PMQs
explanation

Answer 1

a weekly 30 minute session in which the prime minster faces questions from the opposition and from backbenchers

Question 2

PMQs
example

Answer 2

in 2022 Liz Truss faced difficult questions from Keir Starmer following the dropping of her economic plan and a 40 year high inflation rate

Question 3

PMQs
issues

Answer 3

can often be more theatrical than in depth questioning with MPs looking for a media headline rater then scrutiny

Question 4

ministerial question time
explanation

Answer 4

held for 1 hour on monday-thursday each day a different government department faces oral questions from the House of Commons

Question 5

ministerial question time
example

Answer 5

in 2022 Priti Patel faced questions including a request to disclose the cost of the plan to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda for processing

Question 6

ministerial question time
issues

Answer 6

any minster from a department can be sent to answer questions not necessarily the cabinet minsters

Question 7

select committess
explanation

Answer 7

made up of backbench MPs select committees shadow the work of a government department including calling witnesses and producing reports on the work of the government

Question 8

select committess
example

Answer 8

in 2017 David Davis said to the Brexit select committee that parliament would get a vote on Brexit but it might be after the Uk had left. this led to his department issuing a clarification that palriament would get a vote

Question 9

select committess
issues

Answer 9

the government has 2 months to reply to select committee reports but does not have to take on board their suggestions

Question 10

the legislative process
explanation

Answer 10

all MPs can take part in debates committees and voting on the legislative process

Question 11

the legislative process
example

Answer 11

in 2022 all conservative MPs voted for then police crime sentencing and court bills (third reading) and all labour MPs voted against it

Question 12

the legislative process
issues

Answer 12

party whips can limit the amount of scrutiny that takes place

Question 13

opposition days
explanation

Answer 13

there are 20 days in the parliamentary calendar in which the opposition can choose the subjects for discussion

Question 14

opposition days
example

Answer 14

in 2022 labour used all opposition days to bring a vote on fracking which was one of the leading factors leading to liz truss’ resignation

Question 15

opposition days
issues

Answer 15

votes taken on opposition days are usually not binding and the opposition doesn’t not choose when then days take place

Question 16

humble address
explanation

Answer 16

this is a request from the HOC for the release of documents named in the address if passed this is binding

Question 17

humble address
example

Answer 17

in 2017 labour used a humble address to get government to release its Brexit impact assessments

Question 18

humble address
issues

Answer 18

this requires a vote in favour and as the government has a majority in the HOC that can be difficult to achieve

Question 19

backbench business committee
explanation

Answer 19

committee is given 35 hard days per parliamentary session to choose what subjects will be discussed

Question 20

backbench business committee
example

Answer 20

in 2011 a backbench business committee debate passed a motion to give all government documents to the inquiry into the Hillsborough disaster

Question 21

backbench business committee
issues

Answer 21

the impact had been relatively limited with few identifiable successes

Question 22

petitions committee
explanation

Answer 22

the petitions committee considers e petitions on the HOC website those with 10,000 signature get a government response and those with 100,000 are elegible for debate

Question 23

petitions committee
example

Answer 23

during the 2017-19 parliamentary session the petition to revoke article 50 and remain in he EU gained over 6 million signatures

Question 24

petitions committee
issues

Answer 24

while the government will respond to petitions with over 10,000 signatures it is to bound to accept the requests they make