Interactions with the Executive

Question 1

What is parliamentary privilege?

Answer 1

MPs can say whatever they want in parliament without the fear of being sued or prosecuted

Question 2

What is the the role of parliamentary privilege?

Answer 2

to ensure that MPs and peers enjoy their historic right to freedom of speech

Question 3

Give an example of parliamentary privilege in use

Answer 3

Lord Hain used parliamentary privilege to name Philip Green as the subject of a super injunction
Philip Green was reported to be at the centre of a sexual harrassment scandal

Question 4

How has the creation of the Backbench Business Committee given MPs more power?

Answer 4

MPs now have more power to shape the agenda by allowing them to choose the topic for debate on one day per week leading to debates on subjects that may not otherwise have been chosen and also require cross party support

Question 5

Describe the role of ‘urgent questions’

Answer 5

this is a device that, subject to the approval of the Speaker of the House, allows an MP to raise an important matter requiring an immediate answer from a government minister

Question 6

Give an example of the use of ‘urgent questions’

Answer 6

the summoning of Work and Pensions Secretary Damian Green to answer an urgent question put forward by Labour MP Stephen Timms regarding changes to a benefit paid to disabled people

Question 7

How can we argue that backbench MPs are playing an increasingly significant role within parliament?

Answer 7

able to scrutinise government activity and holding the executive to account through:
- Backbench Business Committee
- number of backbench rebellions against government measures
- increase in the use of ‘urgent questions’

Question 8

What are the limits on the influence of backbenchers in getting any action taken on their issues?

Answer 8

adjournment debate or the 10 minute rule means the only result is likely to be an airing of the MP’s concern in debate rather than any action taken

Question 9

What does the government give priority to than listening to the proposals of backbench MPs?

Answer 9

public bill committees as the government has a majority on these committees and often it will use its position of strength to introduce its own amendments

Question 10

What important factors in the Commons limit the influence of backbenchers?

Answer 10

power of patronage and ties of party loyalty

Question 11

What is a party whip?

Answer 11

MPs or members of the Lords appointed by each party in Parliament to help organise their party’s contribution to parliamentary business

Question 12

What are the responsibilities of a party whip?

Answer 12

• to make sure the maximum number of their party members vote and vote the way their party wants
• granting leave of absence if an MPs vote is not essential

Question 13

What is the significance of the whip?

Answer 13

the whip is the written instruction for an MP to attend
it indicates the important for an MP to be present

Question 14

What is a ‘three-line whip’?

Answer 14

the most important votes are underlined three times

Question 15

Give an example of when a ‘three-line whip’ is most commonly applied

Answer 15

to major events such as the second readings of significant bills

Question 16

What is the result of an MP defying a three-line whip?

Answer 16

could result in the whip being withdrawn from an MP or Lord meaning that the Member is effectively expelled from their party
they still keep their seat but sit as an independent until the whip is restored

Question 17

When might an MP get the whip withdrawn?

Answer 17

in cases of misconduct where it is felt that an MP has damaged the party’s reputation

Question 18

Give an example of MP who got the whip removed

Answer 18

Rob Roberts May 2021
made repeated and unwanted sexual advances towards a male former member of staff
suspended from parliament for six weeks and by the party for 12 weeks
still sits as an independent MP in the Commons

Question 19

Give examples of the ways in which the function of scrutiny is performed

Answer 19

• questions to ministers
• select committees
• debate

Question 20

How has PM Questions been criticised?

Answer 20

for being unduly theatrical and ‘gladiatorial’ between the prime minister and the leader of the opposition

Question 21

Give an example of the ‘gladiatorial’ nature of the encounter between the PM and the leader of the opposition during PMQs

Answer 21

clashes between Cameron and Corbyn were nortorious for their displays of scorn
Cameron on one occasion attacked his oppositions choice of suit

Question 22

When are PMQs held?

Answer 22

once a week at 12pm on Wednesday

Question 23

Describe the nature of PMQs

Answer 23

• attracts considerable attention in press and television reporting
• intensive preparation takes place suggesting it is a significant event
• sometimes ‘gladiatorial’ and ‘theatrical’

Question 24

How does Blair describe PMQs?

Answer 24

“the most nerve-racking, discombobulating, nail-biting, bowel-moving, terror-inspiring, courage-draining experience” of his political life

Question 25

How is there considerable stage management during PMQs?

Answer 25

MPs on the government side deliberately ask ‘planted’ questions to present the PM in a good light

Question 26

What aspect of PMQs arguably provides a better scrutiny of government activity?

Answer 26

the rota on which ministers answer questions about their own departments as this usually entails more detailed questioning and ministers are given notice of oral questions so that they can prepare an answer

Question 27

What is a less well known version of ministerial questions?

Answer 27

MPs can submit written questions that are answered by civil servants
allows opposition MPs to inform themselves about gov policy
individual members can raise issued of interest to constituents

Question 28

What are select committees?

Answer 28

made up of backbench MPs that are set up to investigate a specific issue in detail or to perform a specific scrutiny role

Question 29

How do select committees perform the role of parliamentary scrutiny?

Answer 29

they may call in officials and experts for questioning
they can demand information from the government
they publish their findings in a report and the government is expected to respond to any recommendations made

Question 30

What reform was introduced in 2010 that increased the independence of select committees?

Answer 30

chairs are now elected by their fellow MPs rather than chosen by the party whips
members are chosen by secret ballot within party groups

Question 31

Why is the work of select committees respected?

Answer 31

because it is evidence based
they have accumulated knowledge and expertise

Question 32

How do select committees earn the respect of the public?

Answer 32

• their hearing are televised and reported in the media
• they air issues of public interest
• this therefore increases their influence

Question 33

How has the scope of the work of select committees widened in recent years?

Answer 33

their work now includes the scrutiny of legislation

Question 34

How has the role of select committee members had an increasing influence?

Answer 34

• long serving members can accumulate more knowledge of a particular policy area than a minister
• some experienced chairs of select committees have become considerable public figures
• this role is now recognised as an alternative career path to the ministerial ladder

Question 35

What is the relationship between select committees and government policy?

Answer 35

select committees have a direct influence on government policy

Question 36

Give an example of select committees having a direct influence on government policy

Answer 36

in 2014 the Home Office took the Passport Office back under ministerial control following a critical report by the Home Affairs Select Committee

Question 37

How is the influence of select committees limited?

Answer 37

• a majority of select committee members are drawn from the governing party
• select committees can only cover a limited range of topics in depth due to lack of resources
• some MPs do not attend
• committees power to summon witnesses is restricted

Question 38

What select committees do MPs from the government side traditionally chair?

Answer 38

the influential treasury, foreign affairs and defence committees

Question 39

What percentage of select committee recommendations does the government tend to accept?

Answer 39

40% and most rarely involve major changes of policy

Question 40

Give an example of when a select committee’s power to summon witnesses was restricted

Answer 40

2013 home secretary Theresa May blocked the Home Affairs Select Committee from interviewing head of MI5, Andrew Parker

Question 41

How does the function of select committees differ in the Lords to those in the Commons?

Answer 41

in the Lords select committees scrutinise legislation and investigation particular issues
Lords committees deliberately seek to avoid duplicating the work of their counterparts in the Commons

Question 42

Give an example of a select committee in the Lords

Answer 42

Constitution Committee - examines public bills for their constitutional implications and investigates broad constitutional issues

Question 43

How does the opposition hold the government to account?

Answer 43

largely through the media where they reach a larger audience, opposition MPs will concentrate on attacking the audience

Question 44

What dilemma does the opposition face?

Answer 44

needing to criticise ministers whilst also projecting themselves in a statesmanlike light as a government in waiting

Question 45

What does the leader of the opposition take a major role in doing?

Answer 45

• responding to the government programme set out in the annual Queen’s speech
• replies to the chancellor of the exchequer’s budget speech

Question 46

How does the opposition function in parliament?

Answer 46

they are allocated 20 days a year to purpose subjects for debate

Question 47

Give an example of an opposition party that proposed a subject for debate

Answer 47

SNP in 2015 instigated debates on the Trident nuclear defence system which they stro ngly opposed

Question 48

What is the significance of the opposition proposing subjects to debate?

Answer 48

it is only of symbolic importance allowing opposition parties to merely register their views on aspects of government policy with little motion occurring as a response