The Structure and Role of Parliament

Question 1

Functions of Parliament

Answer 1

-Legislation
-Representation
-Scrutiny of the government

Question 2

Parliamentary Privilege

Answer 2

MPs can’t be held legally accountable for what they say in court.

Question 3

Strengths of Select Committees

Answer 3

-Elected by the whole house - opposition can be chairs - e.g. Yvette Cooper - Home Affairs committee.

• On average 40% of proposals are acknowledged by the gov. (Constitution Unit).
• Draw attention to issues - e.g. Work and Pensions Committee published report on the collapse of BHS in 2016 - owners of company were reported to the Pensions Regulator.
• Expert testimony - 2015/16 session HoL committees examined 43 bills line-by-line.

Question 4

Weaknesses of Select Committees

Answer 4

-Limited powers of subpoena - Zuckerberg refused to appear before committee - gave evidence to US committee in same year.

-Often ignored - The Brown gov. made cannabis a class B drug regardless of expert testimony.

• Make up of commons is replicated - biased decisions. e.g. education committee 7/4 split con/lab.

Question 5

Strengths of HoL

Answer 5

-Constitutional safeguard against majoritarian rule - apolitical.

-Life peers are experts in their field - meritocracy.

-Scrutinise bills - e.g. health bills receive medical expert scrutiny.

Question 6

Weaknesses of HoL

Answer 6

-Unrepresentative (age/gender/BAME).

-Unaccountable

-‘Loans for peerages’ scandal 2006 - PM can appoint anyone regardless of merit.

• 92 hereditaries still remain.