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The Queen is officially head of all the branches of
government, but she has little direct power in the country. The
constitution has three branches: Parliament, which makes lows,
the government, which "executes" laws (puts them into effect)
and the courts, which interpret laws. Parliament has two parts:
the House of Commons and the House of Lords. Members of
the House of Commons are elected by the voters of 650
constituencies. They are known as Members of Parliament.
The Prime Minister is advised by a Cabinet of about twenty
other ministers.
The Prime Minister, or leader of the Government, is usually
the leader of the political party. The Cabinet includes the
ministers in charge of major government departments or
ministries.
Departments and ministries are run by civil servants, who are permanent officials. Even if the Government changes after an election, the same civil servants are employed. Members
of the House of Lords are not elected. About 70 per cent of
them are "hereditary peers" because their fathers were peers
before them. The 30 per cent are officially appointed by the
Queen, on the advice of the Government, for various services
for people.
Questions:
1. Who is the head of government in Britain?
2. How many parts does Parliament have?
3. What are they?
4. Who is the leader of political party?
5. What cari you tell about the House of Lords?
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