B. Parliamentary control

Ministers are responsible to Parliament for their department and its actions. The Commons can force a government to leave office. This happened in 1979, when the official Opposition put forward a no-confidence motion which was carried by one vote. The Government was therefore obliged to advise the Queen to dissolve Parliament and a general election followed.

One of Parliament's most prized occasions is Commons' Question Time. For roughly one hour a day, ministers are asked by MPs searching questions on major government policies. This is often the best way Tor MPs to probe ministers about government intentions. The Prime Minister is questioned twice a week.

New vocabulary:

to leave office — уйти в отставку

no-confidence — вотум недоверия

to probe — зондировать

Eх.1Найдите в тексте эквиваленты следующих слов и выражений.

быть ответственным; управление делами государства; партия большинства; под председательством; " теневой кабинет"; про­блема; политика правительства; деятельность; распустить пар­ламент; уйти в отставку.

Ex. 2 Составьте предложения, соединив подходящие части.

the government is appointed

the government policy is formed

the laws are supported

the ministers are rejected

the " Shadow Cabinet" are selected

can be forced to leave the office

Ex. 3. Read the sentences and say if the conditions are real or unreal. Translate the sentences:

a. If I went to New York I should visit museums there.

b. If you see your brother, give him my best wishes.

c. Take your umbrella or put on your raincoat if it rains.

d. If you were not late, you would see a hockey match on TV.

e. If he comes earlier than we do, he will prepare supper.

f. We should go to the cinema in the evening if you were older.

g. If you were not so tired we should see some more places of interest.

h. If you leave right now you will catch the train.

i. I should be very glad if he came to see us.

j. He wouldn’t go to the hockey matches if he didn’t like hockey.

Ex. 4. Раскройте скобки, образуя от глаголов, стоящих в инфинитиве, требуемую форму.

1. If I were you I (help) him.

2. If we (go) to the USA, we should visit many places of interest.

3. I should be very glad if he (come) to see us.

4. If we (to be) in the USA we should see the statue of Liberty.

5. If they (learn) words, they would get excellent marks.

6. If I (go) to the post - office these days 1 should send a telegram.

7. If you were not so tired we (go for a walk) with you.

8. I should tell him about it if 1 (see) him now.

9. He would show you the new magazines if you (have) some free time.

10. If you (go) to the sea next week, you would have a good rest there.