Forms of Scrutiny -Parliament pt2 (Dr Furniss) Paper 2

PMQs

Ways Effective:

• The Prime Minister is directly questioned by MPs in the House of Commons, ensuring accountability

• It happens weekly, so scrutiny is regular and continuous

• It is broadcast live, making it transparent and open to the public —> lots of media attention

• Questions can be unpredictable, forcing the Prime Minister to respond on the spot

Limitations:

• PM isn’t entitled to answer all questions, and he can give political responses —> not legitimate.

• Short session —> not enough depth on issues

• MPs follow party lines in order to show party loyalty —> less independent challenge

• Conservatives and Labour can ask 6 questions, whereas minor parties such as Lib Dems only get 2, and Green Party only get 1 —> thus not very representative

MQs

Ways Effective:

• Ministers come to Parliament every 2 weeks to answer questions, both oral and written

• An unlimited number of written questions, of which your guaranteed a response —> making it a more effective source to find out evidence for scrutiny

Limitations:

• Often low attendance —> so weaker scrutiny

• Ministers may not give full, truthful answers due to sticking to party line.

Select Committees

Ways Effective:

• Cross Party membership —> chosen by ballot and made up of backbenchers, therefore less biased

• Members focus on specific topics, allowing them to develop deeper knowledge of a chosen topic/policy in order to make informed recommendations

• 40% of select committees recommendations were implicated

• Can question government officials, holding them accountable in hearings

Limitations:

• Have no legal powers so can’t create or reject new laws or policies —> cant force government to take their recommendations

• Often receive little media attention —> so issues may not turn into national issues

Public Bill Committees

Ways Effective:

• They provide detailed scrutiny on the Bill in order to ensure it legible and has no flaws —> improves its quality

Limitations:

• MPs are chosen by party whips so members often follow party lines rather than acting on nation interest

• Often fixed times, so some clauses may not be accurate or useless

Emergency Debates

Ways Effective:

• Quick response to urgent issues —> allows the House of Commons to debate sudden events, such as nation crises and large scandals

• Holds government accountable, forcing ministers to explain actions publicly —> thus raising awareness, media attention.

• If speaker agrees on starting a debate, they will take it to the HoC, and if HoC agrees then the speaker will determine when debate will take place (maximum 3 hours)