ABSTRACT
Introduction One of the central constitutional relationships in the British constitution is that between the executive/government and the legislature. As we have a parliamentary executive, one of the constitutional functions of Parliament is to scrutinise government ministers in respect of their policy, administration and actions (whether individually or collectively). In constitutional theory, therefore, ministers are both collectively and individually responsible to Parliament. Government accountability to both Houses of Parliament is secured through various parliamentary mechanisms such as questioning, debates and select committees, all of which are considered below. In short, Parliament acts as a constitutional check on the executive and this is particularly important in the absence of a codifi ed constitution constraining the activities of the executive. The balance between Parliament and the government has been described in the following way by Charles Kennedy MP:
QUOTATION ‘An effective Parliament should be neither excessively obstructive nor excessively subservient.’
