In the cabinet system of government; individual responsibility of ministers means that ________?

A. only ministers can be held responsible for errors
B. a minister must hold his subordinates responsible for his failures
C. the prime ministers can remove an erring minister
D. no individual can be held responsible for government decisions

Correct Answer:

Option A – only ministers can be held responsible for errors

Explanation

Individual ministerial responsibility is a constitutional convention in governments using the Westminster System that a cabinet minister bears the ultimate responsibility for the actions of their ministry or department.

According to Individual Ministerial Responsibility:

• Ministers are individually responsible for the work of their departments and are answerable to Parliament for all their departments activities.

• They are expected to accept responsibility for any failure in administration, any injustice to an individual or any aspect of policy which may be criticised in parliament, whether personally or not