Chapter 11 End-of-chapter questions

The traditional constitutional theory of ministerial responsibility has changed over the decades. Parliament is now often viewed as something of a passive force, unable to effectively hold the government to account. Why might this be the case? Select all that apply.

Over time political loyalties and party-politics have become the main driving force of political action in the Commons; the ability of Parliament to ensure effective accountability has therefore suffered as a result.

The expansion of government activity and changes to the structure of government make traditional forms of accountability less apt.

The convention of ministerial responsibility is in practice often used by ministers as a means of shielding government from parliamentary interference.

The convention of ministerial responsibility has caused the premature end of too many ministerial careers.

Which of the following statements most accurately describes the position of the modern Civil Service and its relationship with ministerial responsibility?

The modern Civil Service is very large. Its members are directly accountable to Parliament, but in reality, civil servants are able to do more than simply implement policy, which raises problems for the notion of ministerial responsibility.

The modern Civil Service is very large. Its members are not directly accountable to Parliament but to the relevant Minister. In reality, however, civil servants are able to do more than simply implement ministerial policy, which raises problems for the notion of ministerial responsibility.

The modern Civil Service is very large. Its members are not directly accountable to Parliament but to the relevant Minister. Civil servants only ever put in place the policies of the Minister in charge and cannot delay or fail to implement it, so it makes perfect sense that ministers should be responsible for their actions.

The modern Civil Service is a small and efficient body. Its members are not directly accountable to Parliament but to the relevant Minister. Given the power civil servants have, it therefore seems strange that they are not directly accountable to Parliament.

The Freedom of Information Act is an important piece of legislation relating to scrutiny of governmental actions. But why has Act 2000 been criticised? Select all that apply.

The Act provides a ministerial veto which can prevent disclosure in certain circumstances, and has been applied in situations involving information which may very well attract significant public interest.

The Act sets out categories under which an absolute bar to disclosure operates. Information relating to one of these categories can be withheld, even if there is significant public interest in the information.

The Act does not apply to financial information.

The Act has not improved the transparency of the UK State.

It is often said that Parliament's capacity to effectively scrutinise the government is limited. At the same time, however, a number of more recent initiatives have increased the level of scrutiny to which the government is subject. Which of the following are examples of such changes? Select all that apply.

The forming of a new convention that a minister's private life should not play any part in a decision to compel them to resign

The installation of the Backbench Business Committee to ensure that 'backbench' MPs get more of a say in debates

The reduced influence of party Whips

The Liaison Committee's vision for the future, which involves greater use of select committees and their recommendations being taken more seriously

There are a number of weaknesses when it comes to Parliament's ability to hold the government to account. Which of the following statements below are true? Select all that apply.

Whilst in theory the prospect of being asked to resign should act as a control on ministerial behaviour, in practice resignations do not occur according an individual's behaviour, but according to whether the individual has a favourable relationship with powerful party figures, the mood of the party at the time, the strength of the Opposition and the opinion of the media.

Select committees are no longer taken seriously by ministers. When their recommendations are made, they are often made to a near-empty House of Commons.

Debates in Parliament, and particularly in the House of Commons, rarely involve serious debate about policy issues, but are usually heavily theatrical occurrences, involving pre-prepared statements, the pursuit of 'soundbites', and jabs at the opposition party.

The Freedom of Information Act and the various pieces of legislation affecting the powers of the intelligence services have had no real impact at all.

Whilst members of the House of Commons hold significant power to hold the executive to account, the influence of party-politics is strong and any parliamentarian with political aspirations would be discouraged from applying too much scrutiny to the actions of their own party.

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