The Two Houses Of UK Parliament, Parliametary Standards And Public Inquiries

Question 1

What does Saalfield highlight as the various reason why MPs may wish to ask parliamentary questions?

Answer 1

• opposition MPs may wish to challenge the decisions of the Government or the personal conduct of the Minister.
• Government backbencher may wish to support the Government by asking questions which highlight policy success.
• enhance the reputation of the MP in their constituency.

Question 2

What criticisms have been expressed at the effectiveness of Parliamentary questions?

Answer 2

• procedure used to “score points” against other political parties
• answers are sometimes delayed, incomplete or irrelevant
• Ministers may refuse to answer questions on the grounds of disproportionate cost
• questions asked may not be within the Minister’s (or Prime Minister’s) control

Question 3

How are debates conducted in Parliament?

Answer 3

by both Standard Orders and the rules and customs of Parliament

Question 4

What do Opposition Days in Parliament entail?

Answer 4

They give the largest and second largest opposition parties chance to choose topic for debate.

Question 5

What is the role of the Speaker of the HoC (Lord Speaker in the HoL)?

Answer 5

• chairs the debate
• ensures that the rules of the Houses of Parliament are adhered to
• (in the HoC) calls on MPs to address the House

Question 6

What is the prime example of MPs taking control of the Parliamentary agenda?

Answer 6

The cross-party support of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2019

Question 7

What are alleged breaches of the Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme (2018) investigated by?

Answer 7

The Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards - overseen by the committee on Standards

Question 8

What are the various sanctions recommended by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards in regards to issues such as bullying, sexual harassment and misbehaviours in the HoC?

Answer 8

• advice given or training suggested
• rectification
• apologies to the impacted party and Parliament generally
• suspension or expulsion (HoC/ Holyrood the ultimate decision-maker)

Question 9

Give examples of MPs reprimanded by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards and the Ethical Standards Commissioner (Scotland)

Answer 9

Mr Daniel Zeichner MP:

• misuse of Parliamentary stationary for Party-political purposes
• refunded expenses; measures put in place to prevent repeat

Mr Ian Blackford MP:

• did not register financial interests in a company; contributed to a debate on a topic concerning the company’s business
• apologised to the HoC

Mrs Sarah Boyack MSP:

• failed to include enumeration from Scottish Federation of Housing Association in Register of Interests
• sanction recommended

Question 10

What statute was introduced as a direct response to the express scandal?

Answer 10

Parliamentary Standards act 2009 (PSA 2009)

Question 11

What are the key responsibilities of the Parliamentary standards Act (2009)?

Answer 11

• to create an MP allowance scheme (s.5(3))

- to process expense claims (s.6)

Question 12

What are public inquiries?

Answer 12

Major investigations initiated by a government minister

Question 13

What are examples of recent public inquiries?

Answer 13

• Grenfell Tower Inquiry

- Leveson Inquiry

Question 14

What are the three main functions of Public Inquiries?

Answer 14

1. Establish what happened
2. Determine accountability
3. Prevent recurrence of event and incorporate findings into public policy

Question 15

What are Public Inquiries limited by?

Answer 15

Their “terms of reference”, which sets out what they can investigate and the aims of their investigation.

Question 16

What are some criticisms of Public Inquiries?

Answer 16

• over time and over budget (The Saville Inquiry)
• the appointment of chairman is often a rushed affair, reflecting the political pressure that such events can place on Ministers
• minimal legislative or administrative guidance on how a public inquiry should be run
• implementing the recommendation of the public inquiry up to Government (recommendations are not binding)