The Government of Britain

Today we learnt the some titles of government departments and their responsibilities in UK.

Firstly, the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is the Rt. Hon Hilary Benn MP whose main tasks are to secure a healthy environment for people all and defend against environmental risks. Further, he promotes an economy that produces less carbon and uses resources more efficiently. Finally, he ensures a thriving farming sector and a sustainable, healthy and secure food supply.

Secondly, the Secretary of State for Transport is the Rt Hon Lord Adonis whose main tasks are to sustain economic growth, improved productivity through reliable and efficient transport networks. Moreover, he focus on improving the environmental performance of transport and strengthen the safety and security of transport.

Thirdly, the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs is the Rt Hon David Miliband MP whose main tasks are to finish overall responsibility for the work of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. In addition, he focuses on strategy and Policy Planning. Next, he is responsibility for communications, honours, FCO finance and Whitehall liaison department.

Fourthly, the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions is the Rt Hon Yvette Cooper MP whose main task is to take personal responsibility for public expenditure and the Departmental security issue.

Fifthly, the Secretary of State for Defence is the Rt Hon Bob Ainsworth MP whose main tasks are to defence policy, planning and budget issues. Next, he focuses on the operations in Afghanistan and nuclear issues including Ballistic Missile Defence. Then, he is also responsibility for NATO, EU issues, Media and Communications.

Sixly, the Home Secretary for the Home Office is The Rt Hon Alan Johnson MP whose main tasks are to effort to protect the public from terror, crime and antisocial behaviour. They also help build the security, justice and respect that enable people to prosper in a free and tolerant society.

Seventhly, the Secretary of State for Health is the Rt Hon Andy Burnham MP whose main tasks are to finish overall responsibility for the work of the Department.

Eighthly, the Chancellor of the Exchequer is the Rt Hon Alistair Darling MP whose main task is to finish overall responsibility for the work of the Treasury.

Finally, the Prime Minister is the Rt Hon Gordon Brown MP who is ultimately responsible for the

policy and decisions of Government, and he also oversees the operation of the civil

service and Government agencies, appoints members of the Government, and is the

principal Government figure in the House of Commons.

The National Assembly for Wales

Last thursday, we visited the National Assembly for Wales which located in Cardiff bay. The assembly is beautiful and environment friendly. Furthermore, it includes 60 members, and the members are elected for four year terms under an additional system.

The First Minister , Prif Weinidog, is the leader of the Wales Assembly Government which was established in 1999. Under the arrangements in the Government of Wales, executive functions are conferred on the National Assembly for Wales and then separately delegated to the First Minister and to other Cabinet Ministers and staff appropriate. The first minister is responsible for below points:

1.Exercise of functions by the Cabinet of the Welsh Assembly Government.

2.Policy development and coordination of policy.

3.The relationships with the rest of the United Kingdom, Europe and Wales Abroad.

4.Staffing/Civil Service

The building of Senedd was designed with energy efficiency which awarded for "green" principles used throughout its design. Moreover, the roof feathers a large, 6 metre tall wind cowl which funnels natural light and a ventilating air flow down to the debating chamber. In addition, the building uses an earth heat exchange system which uses the ground as both a heat source and a heat sink, with a low emission biomass boiler, and what's more, the rainwater is collected from the roof and recycled for the toilets and window washing.

In this visit, we learn a lot of knowledge, not only for National Assembly of wales, but also for enviroment protection and saving energy. It is very meaningful experience for everyone.

Group2 assignment

Group member--Yuki, Rosa, Chris and Eric
The purpose of assignment includes three parts. Initially, the assignment will introduce the brief overview of the House of Commons and Lords. Moreover, it will explain the role of the Monarch. Last one is 'Royal state Opening of Parliament'.

Now we will illustrate that Parliament is a basic part of UK politics. Its main roles include below three aspects: Firstly, examining and challenging the work of the government (scrutiny). Secondly, debating and passing all laws (legislation). Thirldly, enabling the government to raise taxes.

Furthermore, the House of Commons is made up of 646 Members of Parliament (MPs) who are elected by voters. MPs should represent the views of the people in their constituency (local area) in Parliament. The House of Commons makes laws and carefully checks what the Government is doing. However, the House of Lords (also known as House of Peers for ceremonial purposes) is the upper houseof the Parliament of the United Kingdom and is also commonly referred to as "the Lords". Membership of the House of Lords was once a right of birth to hereditary peers, but following a series of reforms these now only form a portion of the membership. As of October 2009 the House of Lords has 724 members, 78 more than the 646-seat House of Commons. The House of Lords, like the House of Commons, assembles in the Palace of Westminster.

Moreover, in this country we have a hereditary monarch which means that the title is passed through the family. The monarch used to have a lot more power than they do now. Whenever a new Bill is passed (new law made), the Queen has to agree to it, but this is really a formality and the last time a monarch refused to agree to it was in 1707.

Finally, the essay explains the 'Royal State Opening of Parliament'. The State Opening of Parliament marks the beginning of the parliamentary session. Its main purpose is for the monarch formally to open Parliament and, in the Queen's Speech, deliver an outline of the Government's proposed policies, legislation for the coming session and a review of the last session.