Non-Legislative Scrutiny - created from Mind Map_1

Question Time PMQT QT provides opportunity to question every department PM doesn't receive questions in advance Opportunity for opposition & backbenchers to ask questions directly to PM Opposition leader can raise an issue on policy PMQT high profile- PM should be able to answer questions satisfactorily PM is briefed by senior civil servants on what they think will be asked Backbenchers allowed to ask questions about their constituency Backbench questions to PM are often redrafted by party whips to attract attention Can turn into 'point scoring' between PM and opposition leader Given questions in advance therefore competent answers should be given Not as well attended as PMQT Lack of time: departments only questioned a few times a year Answers can be drafted and re-drafted MPs can also send written questions

Adjournment Debates Half hour at the end of each day Opportunity for backbenchers to have their voices heard Different issues tabled each week End of each day means often MPs leave before adjournment debates begin 30 mintues not enough time for effective scrutiny Poorly attended Constituency business often only discussed Doesn't allow for wide-ranging effective scrutiny Wide variety of issues can be discussed

Select Committees SCs reflect party strenghts SCs choose their issue to examine Over time members become experts SCs have powers to summon witnesses and examine restricted documents Government doesn't have to accpet SC recommendations Fair as they received majority votes at election Could lead to dominance by government party/parties Will be something they are interested in Might not necessarily be what they should be examining Some witnessess are reluctant to provide honest evidence E.g. Rupert Murdoch during phone-hacking scandal They do, however have to respond to recommendations 40% (estimate) of recommendations are accepted Usually limited policy changes

Oppossition The largest party not in government forms the offical opposition. Two functions 20 'opposition days' allow the opposition to set the agenda If the government has a small majority, opposition may be able to force u-turns on policy 2. Appear as the government 'in waiting' 1. To oppose government legislative proposals The current coalition government has suffered three defeats in the HoC Syria 2013: The government lost 285-272 on a motion to use force 'if necessary' to respond to the use of chemical weapons in Syria (August 2013). In 2009, a Lib Dem motion on British citizenship for Ghurkha veterans produced a rare government defeat.

Non-Legislative Scrutiny