Quangos: UK Ministerial Responsibility in Theory and Practice
| Published date | 01 July 2000 |
| Author | Michael Cole |
| Date | 01 July 2000 |
| DOI | 10.1177/095207670001500304 |
| Subject Matter | Articles |
Quangos:
UK
Ministerial
Responsibility
in
Theory
and
Practice
Michael
Cole
University
of
Exeter
Abstract
This
article
considers
the
theory
and
practice
of
accountability
arrangements
for
quangos
in
the
UK.
Theoretical
notions
of
accountability
are
discussed
and
the
practice
of
parliamentary
accountability
evaluated
in
the
context
of
the
traditional
notion
of
ministerial
responsibility.
The
study
outlines
the
results
obtained
through
an
empirical
analysis
of
parliamentary
questions,
M.P.s'
replies
to
a
questionnaire
and
several
interviews
with
M.P.s.
The
analysis
suggests
that
ministerial
oversight
over
these
bodies
is
more
extensive
than
scholars
have
traditionally
assumed.
In
addition,
the
study
draws
attention
to
the
role
of
members'
constituencies
in
raising
concerns
about
quangos
and
the
extent
to
which
M.P.s
collaborate
with
quangos
rather
than
scrutinise
their
activities.
Introduction
Concern
about
the
accountability
of
quangos
has
played
a
key
role
in
the
debate
about
quasi-government.
Discussion
about
the
accountability
of
quasi-
government
was
prominent
in
the
Anglo-American
discussions
thirty
years
ago
(see
for
example,
Hague,
Mackenzie
and
Barker,
1975).
Concern
about
the
accountability
of
bodies
created
at
arms'
length
from
politicians
has
been
voiced
by
participants
in
the
1990s
UK
debate
about
quangos
(see
for
example,
Weir
and
Hall,
1994)
and
by
scholars
writing
about
arrangements
in
other
countries
(see
for
example,
Leazes,
1997).
Similarly,
there
has
been
a
long-standing
scepticism
about
the
effectiveness
of
ministerial
responsibility
in
the
UK
(see
for
example,
Finer
1956;
and
Madgwick
and
Woodhouse,
1989).
In
addition
some
scholars
have
expressed
doubt
about
the
traditional
notion
that
ministerial
responsibility
is
clearly
and
consistently
restricted
in
relation
to
quangos
(see
for
example,
Massey,
1995).
This
article
analyses
aspects
of
the
accountability
process
in
the
UK
in
relation
to
quangos.
The
role
of
ministers
and
backbench
M.P.s
in
the
account-
Public
Policy
and
Administration
Volume
15
No.
3
Autumn
2000
32
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