The Structure and Role of Parliament

Question 1

What are the main functions of Parliament?

Answer 1

Legislation, scrutiny, representation, and accountability.

Question 2

What is the difference between the House of Commons and House of Lords?

Answer 2

Commons is elected and dominant; Lords is unelected and acts as a revising chamber.

Question 3

What is scrutiny of the executive?

Answer 3

Parliament holding the government to account through questions, debates, and committees.

Question 4

What are select committees?

Answer 4

Groups of MPs that scrutinise government departments.

Question 5

What is a Burkean representative?

Answer 5

An MP who uses their own judgement rather than following constituents’ wishes directly.

Question 6

What is a delegate representative?

Answer 6

An MP who acts strictly on the instructions of constituents.

Question 7

What is parliamentary privilege?

Answer 7

Legal protection for MPs to speak freely in Parliament.

Question 8

What limits Parliament’s power over the government?

Answer 8

Party discipline and control over select committee membership.

Question 9

What is redress of grievances?

Answer 9

MPs helping constituents by raising their concerns with government departments.