AO1: the chairs of select committees being chosen directly by MPs rather than by government whips. AO2: select committees are becoming increasingly independent of government, and the prominence given to select committee reports make this significant since negative publicity could force the government to act. AO3: therefore the government's control is reducing and other factors are affecting power and control, such as media attention. AO1: the consultation of Parliament on military action, for example in Syria. AO2: the war in Syria represents increased consultation of Parliament over prerogative powers, which represent a significant source of government power. AO3: therefore proving that the government does not always have full control and control can be reduced as Parliament can play a greater role in deciding what the government does and provides an ultimate check on its policies and actions. AO1: the introduction of the Backbench Business Committee of which the chair must be a member of the opposition. AO2: the Backbench Business Committee represents an increased ability of backbenchers to set parliamentary business and this reduces the extent to which government controls the parliamentary agenda. AO3: consequently this represents a clear reduction in control/power and points to the fact that backbenchers can exert power and control, and can influence decision making. AO1: the increased willingness of the House of Lords, which lacks a government majority, to delay government business, for example over proposed cuts to tax credits. AO2: the increased proactivity of the House of Lords in amending or delaying legislation provides an extra parliamentary check on government and so limits its ability to push legislation through. AO3: therefore this is clear evidence that control has been reduced, that it does not rest solely with government and that the other House can affect its policies.

AO1: the small number of government defeats in recent years. AO2: the small number of government defeats highlights the continued power of the whips, which is the cornerstone of its control of the House of Commons and also links to the fact that the electoral system usually delivers a clear government majority. AO3: thus it would be wrong to say that there has been a reduction as there is still a strong case for the government being in control and for them to resist attempts to reduce its control. AO1: there is little legislation not sponsored or supported by government that has become law. AO2: the small proportion of non-government legislation demonstrates the government's continuing large degree of control over the parliamentary agenda, linking to the Conservative notions of hierarchy and authority. AO3: therefore this is a clear case for the government retaining its control over Parliament and links to the fact that power comes from the main source of authority, which in this case can still be said to be the government. AO1: the increasing 'payroll vote' of ministers plus parliamentary private secretaries. AO2: the size of the payroll vote, giving incentives to individual members of Parliament to co-operate with government, highlights the government's power of patronage as a means of controlling individual members of parliament. AO3: consequently this demonstrates that, ultimately, government will always be able to limit any Parliamentary attempt to curb its control as the government has the ability to control MPs and to limit their role as representatives. AO1: the imbalance of resources between government and Parliament in terms of staff and finances, and recent proposals, albeit abandoned, to reduce 'short money'. AO2: the imbalance of resources makes it harder for Parliament to scrutinise government and therefore be independent of its control. Recent proposals, albeit abandoned, to reduce 'Short money' emphasise the significance of this point. AO3: thus it would be unfair to say that government control has reduced as it still retains a great deal of power and control over Parliament, and the system supports the continuation of this fact.