30 Questions
Which house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom is the lower house?
The House of Commons
Where does the House of Commons meet?
Palace of Westminster
How many members are there in the House of Commons?
650
How are MPs elected to the House of Commons?
By popular vote
When did the House of Commons of England start to evolve?
In the 13th and 14th centuries
What is the relationship between the House of Commons and the prime minister?
The prime minister is answerable to the House of Commons
What power does the House of Lords have over legislation?
The power to delay legislation
Which house do ministers in the UK belong to by convention?
Both House of Commons and House of Lords
Who appoints ministers from outside Parliament?
Sovereign
Which prime minister was an exception to the convention of being a member of the House of Commons?
Alec Douglas-Home
Which major cabinet positions have been filled by a peer in recent times?
Lord Privy Seal, Lord Chancellor, and Leader of the House of Lords
How often does Prime Minister's Questions occur?
Weekly
What must questions during Prime Minister's Questions relate to?
Responding minister's official government activities
How strong is the scrutiny of the government by the House of Commons?
Fairly weak
Which electoral system is employed in Britain, resulting in the governing party often enjoying a large majority in the Commons?
First-past-the-post
What is the main incentive for a government with a large majority to compromise with other parties?
Avoiding a vote of no confidence
What is the role of Select committees in scrutinizing the government?
Providing serious scrutiny
When was the last impeachment of a Minister of the Crown in the House of Commons?
1806
Which house of Parliament has the power to delay a money bill for more than one month?
House of Lords
Which house of Parliament may originate bills concerning taxation or supply?
House of Commons
What types of bills may be presented to the sovereign for royal assent without the consent of the House of Lords?
Money bills
How many parliamentary sessions can the House of Lords delay most other public bills for?
Two
What is the requirement for the House of Lords' consent when extending a parliamentary term beyond five years?
No consent required
Who appoints the prime minister when the office falls vacant?
The monarch
Which house of the Parliament does the prime minister have to be a member of?
House of Commons
What kind of motions can indicate lack of support for the government?
Both motion of confidence and motion of no confidence
What is considered a matter of confidence in the government?
Both important bills that were part of the government's agenda and annual Budget
What happens when a government loses the confidence of the House of Commons?
Both the prime minister resigns and the monarch dissolves Parliament
How long did Parliament sit before 2011?
Up to five years
What can bring about an early general election?
Both approval of MPs holding at least two-thirds of all seats and vote of confidence in the government followed by a vote of confidence
Test your knowledge on the appointment of peers as ministers in the UK government and the historical exceptions to this convention. Explore the eligibility criteria and learn about prime ministers who were members of the House of Lords.
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