Task 1. Read and translate the text. Her Majesty's Government, in spite of its name, derives its authority and power from its party representation in Parliament

Part I

Her Majesty's Government, in spite of its name, derives its authority and power from its party representation in Parliament. It is so because when a party wins a majority of votes in Par­liament it forms the Government – Her Majesty's Government. Her Majesty's government governs in the name of the Queen and is responsible for the administration of national affairs. The Prime Minister is appointed by the Queen but automatically it is the leader of the party which wins a majority. And all other ministers are appointed by the Queen on the recommendation of the Prime Minister. The number of ministers in the Go­vernment may vary from 80 to 100, all the ministers are members of either of the two Houses, but the majority of them, are members of the House of Commons. Naturally, the Prime Minister cannot belong to the House of Lords. Functionally ministers may be classified as:

1) departmental ministers – who are in charge of government departments (they are also known as Secretaries of State);

2) non-departmental ministers or ministers "without portfolio". They include the holders of traditional offices: the Lord Privy Seal, the Lord President of the Council, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster;

3) ministers of State – usually appointed as subordinate to government departments where the work is particularly heavy or complex and where it involves frequent travelling abroad;

4) junior ministers, or Parliamentary Under-secretaries – assistants of Secretaries of State.

The central institution, the core of the British Government is the Cabinet. The Cabinet is composed of about 20 ministers personally selected by the Prime Minister, who is the directing head and force of the Cabinet as well as of the whole government. Cabinet-making is a very important part of a Prime Minister’s job and a Cabinet remains very much the expression of Prime Minister’s personality. He not only appoints ministers but can require their resignation. He can replace a minister or break up the entire Cabinet. He controls the agenda of business to be dealt with at Cabinet meetings. He can dissolve the House of Commons and thus bring about a General Election at any time.

The Prime Minister can introduce peers, and if necessary make peers, and he can demote his rivals.

In the middle of the 19th century the doctrine of collective responsibilitywas accepted. That means that the policy of ministers must be in agreement with the policy of the Government as a whole. Once the Government policy on a particular matter has been decided each minister is expected to support it. If he cannot agree with it or if he lost the confidence of the majority of his colleagues a Cabinet minister has no choice but to resign.

Notes to the text:

Secretary of State – (букв. государственный секретарь) министр (возглавляет одно из ведущих министерств)

Minister of State – государственный министр (является фактически первым заместителем министра соответствующего министерства)

Lord Privy Seal – лорд-хранитель печати

Lord President of the Council – председатель тайного совета (представляет королеву)

Chancellor of the Duchy – канцлер герцогства

to demote – понижать в должности

Task 2. Find in the text the English equivalents for the following words and word combinations: от имени королевы, любая из двух палат, принадлежать чему-либо, должность, требовать отставки, распустить кабинет министров, всеобщие выборы, соперник (конкурент), коллективная ответственность, потерять доверие, уходить в отставку, отставка.

Task 3. Match the words having the same meaning:

to rule rival to be responsible to require head to break up to select to bring about advice whole

to cause to demand to choose competitor to govern recommendation to dissolve entire to be in charge of leader

Task 4. Answer the questions:

1. How is the government formed?

2. How are the ministers of the government classified?

3. What is the Cabinet? How is it formed?

4. What powers has a Prime Minister got?

5. What is meant by the doctrine of collective responsibility?

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