Ways Parliament interacts with executive - 2.4 Parliament - UK government

Question 1

Parliamentary privilege

Answer 1

Right of MPs / Lords to make certain statements within parliament without being subject to outside influence, including the law. Ensures freedom of speech

Question 2

Impact of Backbench Business Committee creation

Answer 2

Created in 2010. Allowed to choose debate topic for 35 days a year. Some held in response to e-petitions (need 100,00 signatures to qualify) enables debates which may never have been held to be held

Question 3

Example of debate that became legislation due to Backbench business committee

Answer 3

Harvey’s Law 2015 - Obliges Highways Agency to inform owners of pets killed on the roads

Question 4

Evidence of backbench MPs playing an increasingly significant role within parliament

Answer 4

Backbench business committee choosing debate
Rise in number of back bench rebellions
Increase in urgent questions

Question 5

Backbench rebellions

Answer 5

MPs rebelled in 35% of divisions during the 2010-2015

Government may choose to not proceed rather than risk a rebellion

Question 6

Urgent questions

Answer 6

Device that, subject to the approval of the speaker of the house, allows an MP to raise an important matter requiring immediate answer from a government minister

Question 7

Urgent questions rise

Answer 7

2009-2013 Bercow allowed 3547 urgent questions vs 2000-2009 only 1234 (Martin)

Question 8

Limits on the influence of backbenchers

Answer 8

Despite drawing attention, action may not be taken
Government has a majority on public bill committees
Power of patronage & ties of party loyalty reinforced by whips

Question 9

Government has a majority on public bill committees (weakens backbench MPs)

Answer 9

PBCs give MPs an opportunity to propose amendments to legislation however the gov has a majority and will often use this to their advantage

Question 10

backbench members of the HoL

Answer 10

Many are retired politicians. More likely to act independently as there is no incentive for a promotion

Question 11

select committee

Answer 11

There is a select committee to scrutinise the policy, administration and spending of each government department

Question 12

Non-departmental select committees

Answer 12

Public Accounts Committee (examines gov expenditure ensuring value for money is obtained)

Liaison Committee (the chairs of all select committees - questions PM twice a year on everything)

Committee on standards (oversees work of official who is in charge of regulating MPs conduct)

Question 13

Departmental select committees

Answer 13

Consists of a minimum of 11 backbench MPs. Reflect the parties in Commons (i.e. government will have a majority, opposition party second etc) Chairs are elected by fellow MPs (used to be whips). Members are chosen by secret ballot within party groups.
Members decide on areas to investigate. Can gather evidence, can appoint specialist advisors to assist them. They produce a report which government responds to within 2 months

Question 14

Why are select committees important?

Answer 14

• Work is evidence based
• Hearings are televised & reported increasing influence
• Work includes scrutiny of legislation
• Can veto appointments of roles in the departments
• Long-serving members can acquire more knowledge than minister who may only be there for 2 years - some experienced chairs feel they have more influence than ministers due to experience
• Can have a direct influence on government policy

Question 15

Example of chair of select committee becoming public figure and preferring her role to government minister

Answer 15

Margaret Hodge, chair of the Public Accounts Select Committee (2010-2015)

Question 16

Example of select committee having a direct influence on government policy

Answer 16

2014 Home office took Passport office back under ministerial control after critical report by Home Affairs Select Committee

Question 17

Weaknesses / lack of influence of select committees

Answer 17

• Majority of select committee members will be from governing party
• Tradition that governing party chair the Treasury, foreign affairs and defence committees (influential)
• Committees can only cover a limited range of topics in depth
• Tendency to avoid investigations into more long-term, strategic issues
• High turnover rate for membership of committees & some MPs don’t attend regularly
• Government only accepts about 40% of select-committee recommendations & these rarely involve major changes of policy
• Committees power to summon witnesses is considerable but limited

Question 18

Example of committee being unable to summon a witness

Answer 18

2013 Theresa May blocked the Home Affairs Select Committee from interviewing head of MI5

Question 19

How do HoL select committees differ to HoC?

Answer 19

Do not shadow government departments but scrutinise legislation and investigate particular issues. Deliberately avoid duplicating the work of those in the Commons. Wider impact is usually limited

Question 20

2 formal ways leader of the opposition can hold government to account

Answer 20

Responds to government programme

Replies to the chancellor of the exchequer’s budget speech

Question 21

How many days a year does opposition have to propose subjects for debate

Answer 21

20. 17 are for official opposition. 3 for the 2nd largest.

Question 22

Impact of opposition debate days

Answer 22

Of symbolic importance showing opposition party’s views on aspects of government policy

Question 23

Government usual reaction to opposition debate

Answer 23

usually will table an amendment to the opposition motion, cancelling it out by commending its own policy

Question 24

Short money

Answer 24

Subsidy designed to help opposition parties to compensate for the lack of civil service help. Conservative government cut the amount available after 2015 general election

Question 25

better method of scrutiny than PMQ

Answer 25

When ministers answer questions about their own departments