UNIT 3: Parliamentary scrutiny of the executive

Question 1

What are the three parliamentary checks on government?

Answer 1

1) Parliamentary questions
2) Parliamentary debates
3) Select committees

Question 2

Explain parliamentary questions

Answer 2

-MP’s and peers can ask ministers anything on their department
-PM answers questions every wednesday
-Some problems with PQ’s are: ministers can refuse to answer, time constraint, often about political point scoring

Question 3

Explain parliamentary debates

Answer 3

-debates during legislative process
-emergency adjournment debate e.g. if there was a bomb in London
-opposition day debates- opp can choose topic

Question 4

Explain select committees?

Answer 4

-examine policy issue or legislation
-Strengths: raises profile of certain issues, good at fact finding, more time to question
Weaknesses: no legislative powers only published reports, no sanction to make people attend