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Difficulty: MediumThe UK Parliament

Parliamentary democracy in the UK requires the government to be transparent and answerable for its decisions. What is the primary purpose of 'Prime Minister's Questions' (PMQs) held in the House of Commons?

  1. To hold the government to account and allow the Official Opposition to challenge its policies.Answer
  2. B
    To allow the Monarch to deliver the annual speech outlining the government's upcoming legislative plans.
  3. C
    To enable the Shadow Cabinet to take over the administration of government departments for a limited period.
  4. D
    To vote on which senior members of the House of Commons should be promoted to the House of Lords.

Answer

The primary purpose is to hold the government to account and allow the Official Opposition to challenge its policies.
The correct answer is correct because 'Prime Minister's Questions' is a constitutional mechanism designed specifically to ensure the government remains accountable to the elected members of the House of Commons, particularly the Official Opposition.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the concept of parliamentary scrutiny.
Scrutiny is the process by which Parliament examines the government's work.
The UK system relies on the executive (government) being answerable to the legislature (Parliament).
2
Relate the session to the specific procedure mentioned.
Prime Minister's Questions is a weekly event specifically designed for this examination.
It provides a public platform for MPs to ask questions directly to the Head of Government.
3
Determine the role of the Opposition in this context.
The Leader of the Opposition and other MPs use this time to challenge the Prime Minister on topical issues.
This maintains the balance of power and ensures alternative viewpoints are represented.

Key Concept

Parliamentary Accountability and Scrutiny
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Topics

The UK Parliament

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