Summary
Summary 04b. Functions of Parliament
- Module
- Public Law
- Institution
- Kings College London (KCL)
Public Law Module (First Year Law)
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BEK Chapter 10 – Functions of ParliamentINTRODUCTION
To look at functions of parliament, must focus on HC, since its composition
determines which party will form the government
System of specialist committees to scrutinise the main departments of
government
Major tasks of HC =
o Legislation
o Scrutiny of activities of the executives
o Control of finance
o Redress of grievances
Work of Parliament
o Legislation
o Conflict between two Houses
o Financial procedure
o Scrutiny of administration
o Role as constitutional watchdog
8 FUNCTIONS OF PARLIAMENT
Represents national opinion it is a place where people look for
leadership during times of crisis (e.g. during Iraq War 2003)
Provides and support the government
o Constitution is not to restrain or control government, but to
facilitate and empower government
To approve government expenditure
o Done by House of Commons
Parliament also has a duty to provide money to allow expenditure to be
met
o Passes legislation authorising the raising of taxation
Parliament provides legal authority for government activity
IMPORTANT!!
o Government produces bills based on their manifesto, Parliament
approves it (i.e. approves the wishes of the government)
o Legislation
Public Bills
Government Bills introduced by government
minister
Private members’ bills bills introduced by MPs who
are not members of government
Private Bills
To scrutinise the government
o Hold government to account
Expose corruption, inconsistency, maladministration
o Scrutiny of Administration House of Lords
Question Time questions to ministers every day of the
week, i.e. debate time is made available to opposition and
backbenchers to scrutinise activities of government
Adjournment Debates
Select Committees committee of backbenchers who
scrutinise individual departments and to report on a regular
basis
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