P&E: Scrutiny

Question 1

Select Committee:

Answer 1

Composed of a small number of MPs. HoC select committees investigate the work of departments of state, but they can also focus on specific subjects as HoL select committees do. Some issues can be addressed by a joint committee of the HoC and HoL.

Question 2

When were HoC select committees introduced and give examples?

Answer 2

1. In 1979, they were introduced to monitor the performance of the major departments.
2. Foreign Affairs.
3. Health and Social Care
4. Education
5. Home Affairs
6. International Development

Question 3

What are the differences between PBCs and SCs?

Answer 3

1. Non-partisan, all party members are expected to work together.
2. Their police reports carry great political weight.
3. Their criticisms are designed to improve future performance, rather than win political advantage.
4. Each party as a whole votes on memberships rather than be selected by the whips, highly regarded backbenchers.
5. Chairs also receive a significant financial bonus.

Question 4

Jeremy Hunt: Experienced Backbenchers that now chair SCs so increasing the influence they wield.

Answer 4

1. In 2020, he was elected chair of the Health Select Committee and was health secretary before that.
2. In 2021, the HSC worked together with the Science and Technology Committee together reported on Covid-19.
3. Strongly criticised the gov for its initially slow response.
4. Reported that the vaccination programme was very successful.

Question 5

Tobias Ellwood: Experienced Backbenchers that now chair SCs so increasing the influence they wield.

Answer 5

1. Elected chair of the Defence Select Committee in 2021
2. A former soldier and defence minister, his chairman counted for a lot.
3. In July 2021, they made a report on the most effective way of combatting Russia’s long-term strategic goals.
4. Noted that it was imperative for the UK to work with U, R , allies and NATO to come to a peaceful conclusion.

Question 6

Tom Tugendhat: Experienced Backbenchers that now chair SCs so increasing the influence they wield.

Answer 6

1. Chair of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee from 2017-2022.
2. In 2021, he made a power condemnation of the Chinese government for atrocities against Uyghur Muslims.
3. Urged the Foreign Office to acknowledge ‘crimes against humanity’ and ‘genocide’ were occuring.

Question 7

Public Accounts Committee:

Answer 7

1. Generally the most important
2. Investigates expenditure of all government departments, ensure public money is not wasted.
3. Reported on the £22 billion cost of the ‘track and trace’ was very critical, urging a more cost-effective approach.
4. Said that British gov cannot treat taxpayers ‘like an ATM’

Question 8

Parliamentary privilege:

Answer 8

Protects MPs and peers from being sued for libel or slander, ensures they have free speech within the Palace of Westminster. It also includes the right of Parliament to exclusive cognisance, which means it controls its own internal affairs without external interference.

Question 9

What is a strength of select committees?

Answer 9

1. Can consult widely with ministers, civil servants and experts.
2. Can compel attendance from members of the public and can ask questions without fear of prosecution.
3. Reports they make are not binding, but since they are non-partisan and can summon expert witnesses they have a significant impact.

Question 10

Example of a Select Committee and what cons do they have?

Answer 10

1. 2015, Health Select Committee recommended a 20% tax on sugary drinks, to reduce childhood obesity.
2. DC gov were consistently against this.
3. In 2016, the chancellor of the exchequer , George Osbourne introduced it.
4. Few researchers are employed by MPs, have many demands on their time, and are not trained in forensic cross-examination.

Question 11

Ministerial Questions:

Answer 11

1. Executive can regularly be questioned in both chambers and be held accountable.
2. Mon-Thurs 1hr of parliamentary business is set aside for oral questions to ministers in the HoC.
3. In the HoL half an hour is devoted to the government rather than individual departments.
4. Ministers must respond to written questions within a week if they are asked in the HoC, but 2 weeks in the HoL.

Question 12

Examples of ministerial questions:

Answer 12

1. In the early stages of the Russia-Ukraine war, the Foreign Office had to respond to questions from the MPs over the UK’s response was having its desired effect.
2. 15 May 2024 Tahir Ali asked the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office what assessment his office had made of the risk of famine in Gaza.
3. Andrew Mitchell answered that the UK is doing all it can get as much food into Gaza as possible.

Question 13

What are Prime Minister’s Questions and evaluate?

Answer 13

1. Attend the HoC every Wednesday between noon and 12:30pm to respond to questions from the chamber and can be held accountable for government policy.
2. Government MPs can ask questions that deliberately that enable the PM to take credit for government successes.
3. Can expose inadequacies.
4. Raucous nature discourages genuine debate, but electioneering instead.

Question 14

PMQs example:

Answer 14

1. Sir Keir Starmer used it to forensically examine the extent of BJ’s culpability for the lockdown parties at Downing Street and the government’s response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
2. November 2024 Kemi Badenoch presses Starmer on what she calls a ‘cruel family-farms tax’. The £1 million inheritance tax relief cap and he responded saying that most farmers will not be impacted.

Question 15

What is the Liaison Committee and evaluate it?

Answer 15

1. Represents the chairs of all the select committees and twice yearly questions the prime minister.
2. Less confrontational and greater opportunities for extended discussion and are less able to divert questions.

Question 16

Example of the Liaison Committees:

Answer 16

1. December 2023 they questioned him about the decision to extend the timeline for phasing out petrol and diesel cars from 2030 to 2035.
2. Argued his approach allowed for climate goals to be met without overburdening citizens financially.
3. Does not allows bring about policy change but can draw public attention to issues.

Question 17

Opposition Days and Examples:

Answer 17

1. During each parliamentary session, 20 days are set aside to debate subjects chosen by the opposition.
2. 17 days are allotted to the leader of the opposition whilst the other 3 are given to the leader of the 2nd largest party.
3. Rare for them to pass

Question 18

Opposition Day Example:

Answer 18

1. Winter Fuel Allowance Opposition Day
2. Liberal Democrats
3. Focused on the government’s approach to these payments and economic pressures faced by vulnerable people.
4. But 335 MPs voted no, useless

Question 19

Representation:

Answer 19

1. MPs are accountable to their constituents in regular general elections.
2. MPs should balance the interests of their constituents with the demands of the party whips.
3. For example, some pro-EU MPs decided to support Brexit given the support for EU withdrawal among their constituents.