The Crown as the head of the government

Today the ministers under the leadership of the Prime-Minister frame policy which they offer in the form of advice to the monarch. The queen now always accepts this advice although she is not legally bound to do so, because the crowns guiding to the principals of the act upon the wishes of the majority of her subject as represented in Parliament but it would be a mistake to think that the crown takes no interest in government offers. The monarch reads the Cabinet documents (white papers – тексты междунар. договоров и т.д.). Now as well as telegrams concerning (относительно) government policy from where it parts of the world. She also meets the Prime-Minister when she here is meditates (размышляет) about government policy. On this occasion the queen may if she wishes offer advice and make suggestions in the light of her own experience and in the event of any disagreement the queen will always give away.

Honors (награды)

The queen is said to be founded of Honors. This means that the queen on the advice of the government honors deserved citizens who have distinguished (отличились) themselves in some brunch of public life. Twice a year on New Year Party and on queen’s official birthday the honors list is published. The names include many people from other countries of the Commonwealth and the honors are most varied.

Knighthood (рыцарство) is probably the best known. It grants the title Sir (adds to the name).

On particular time of Honor must be singed out for special mention because the crown’s right to give it has played a big part in shaping the present form of the British constitution. This is elevation (повышение) to the peerage (пэрство) which gives a seat in the House of Lords.

Government – исполнит. орган, налагает королевскую санкцию

The second part of British State System is Government – the most important feature is discussion. The views of the majority prevail but the minority is never suppressed (подавляется) even though the minority maybe only a small group. The queen’s ministers form Executive Power (исполнительная власть). They decide what shall be done and their policy is carried out by the Civil Service (гос-во служба). All their actions are done in the queen’s name and most of their great power is executed by the crown alone. The power includes the making the treats (договоры) with foreign countries – declare war and making peace. All the ministers are also in Parliament. They have to be ready to face criticism and explain their actions. This link between Parliament and Government is very important. It means that the government is responsible to elected representatives (представителей) of the ordinary people. The majority of the members of the House of Common (Палата Общин) has to support the ministries if the government stays in power.

Prime-Minister and the Cabinet

ОТКУДА ВЗЯЛОСЬ НАЗВАНИЕ CABINET???

The most important of the queen’s ministers is the Prime-Minister. He is the queen’s chief adviser (главный советник) and his opinions shape the whole of government policy. At the same time he is the leader of the largest political party in the House of Common. There is no written law which states the Prime-Minister must be in the Commons. This is the only right.

The House of Common as the elected body should have every opportunity of being in contact with the chief man in the government. The official name of the Prime-Minister is Prime-Minister and first Lord of the Treasure (Ministry of Finance). The head of the Treasury is the Chancellor of the Exchequer (Канслер Казначейства). After the General Elections the queen sends to the leader of the largest political parties and asks him to form a government – this is the first task of Prime-Minister. In addition of this he has to form the Cabinet consisting of the men occupied the most important posts in the government. The sizes of the Cabinet have varied of different times but usually it’s under 12. In normal times the Cabinet meets for about 2 hours once or twice a week in the Prime-Minister house at number 10, Downing Street.

If a new Prime-Minister is wise he will include in his Cabinet the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Foreign Secretary (министр иностранных дел) or Secretary of State for Foreign but some other ministries are not always included in the Cabinet and the Prime-Minister make up his own mind on this point. All the ministers are in pointed by the Prime-Minister. On making his appointments the PM takes a list to the queen and asks her to approve (одобрить).

The Cabinet decides the great questions of government policy and it doesn’t deal with questions which can be solved at a lawyer level. Questions of less importance are discussed at Committees of the Cabinet. The number of Committees are various with the government and Parliament.