Text 77. The Prime Minister and the Cabinet

The head of the government of Great Britain is the Prime Minister, who is the leader of the political party that commands a majority in the House of Commons.

All political power is concentrated in the Prime Minister, and his Cabinet. The monarch must act on their advice. Members of the Cabinet are chosen by the Prime Minister from among his own political party in Parliament. Most Cabinet ministers are heads of such government departments as the Home Office or the Foreign Office. The Prime Minister’s authority over his Cabinet colleagues has tendency to increase, and some decisions are made by the Prime Minister alone. The Prime Minister can make de­cisions without consulting the Cabinet. The Prime Minister appo­ints about 25 ministers not in the Cabinet, and about 50 junior ministers.

The Cabinet plans, drafts and passes to Parliament all important bills, including the budget. While controlling the law-making machinery, the Cabinet is also subject to Parliament, as it must defend its policy in debate.

Administrative decisions of the Cabinet are immediately obeyed and carried out by the entire executive apparatus, both civil and military.

Answer the following questions:

1. Who is the head of the government of Great Britain?

2. What are the duties of the Prime Minister?

3. What are the duties of the Cabinet?