§ Lord Lester of Herne Hillasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will publish a list of the public functions performed by Ministers of the Crown acting under the Royal prerogative rather than under statute. [HL2799]
§ The Lord Privy Seal (Lord Williams of Mostyn)The Government do not maintain a list of the public functions performed by Ministers otherwise than under statute. Given the range of government activity it would not be practicable to compile such a list; nor do the Government maintain a list based on any narrower definition of the prerogative. Such definitions are a matter of generalisation from the analysis of particular legal decisions.
The following are examples of public functions which are performed by Ministers, or by the Sovereign on the advice of Ministers, and which would generally be considered within a narrower definition of the prerogative: appointment and regulation of the Civil Service; commissioning of officers in the Armed Forces; exercise of the prerogative of mercy; issue and revocation of UK passports; granting of honours; making of treaties; declaration of war and peace; deployment of the Armed Forces; recognition of foreign states, and accreditation and reception of diplomats.