ABSTRACT
We have described a very powerful, many-headed executive in Part 2. In chapter 11, we examined the internal rules governing the conduct of this executive, and the relationship between ministers and civil servants and their departments. We now go on to consider the major external mechanisms by which this executive is held to account. The body charged with the political responsibility for doing so is of course Parliament, and primarily the elected chamber, the House of Commons. Individually and collectively, ministers have a duty to account fully and frankly to Parliament for the policies, decisions and actions (and non-policies, non-decisions and non-actions) of their departments, executive agencies and other public bodies—as well as their own decisions and actions—under the doctrine of ministerial responsibility to Parliament. They therefore answer formally in Parliament for the actions and decisions of officials.
