Q&A · 2:06:45-2:07:17

Parliament, Congress, and naval procurement

The Royal Navy answers to Parliament as the US Navy answers to Congress, but the political and budgetary mechanisms differ.

Question

Does the Royal Navy have to deal with Parliament in the same way the US Navy deals with Congress?

Short answer

Both services face legislative control, although their institutional relationships and procedures differ.

Notes

Both navies depend on elected government for money and authority. In the United States, the service must navigate the relationship between the executive government and Congress. In Britain, the government secures the naval budget from Parliament and then has greater discretion over how to apply it. Political control exists in both systems, while procurement arguments unfold through different institutions.