DE LANGE both with regard to political control and with regard to Parliament,'s role in the process of In an essay in the Nederlands unistenblad, Scheltema has summarized the ratio of political responsibility in two points s that government policies correspond with the wishes of the majority of the population, since political functionaries make the crucial policy choices; political responsibility serves democratic legitimation; In a general sense, ministerial responsibility serves to ensure that the govemmental organisation functions well. 25 It serves to establish lines of responsibility within the governmental organisation. Since the organisation is hierarchical, responsibility is natura lly also hierarchical Scheltema argues that for guaranteeing the quality of the public serv ice, other mechanisms than political responsibility of ministers are more appropriate Monitoring by independent bodies, such as a ' Quality Cham ber, would be feasible and appropriate according to Scheltema. 26 4.5 The problemofgovernment integrity A parliamentary comm ission has made an inquiry into the use of experimental forms of criminal investigation by the police. During that inquiry allegations were made that olice officers had been involved in drug trafficking. Obviously this caused grave concern, so much so that after some years a new parliamentary inquiry was made to see what had been done with the results of the first one. The second inquiry resulted in a report in which aga in very alarming figures were produced. Both these inquiries gave a boost to the govermment's attempts to com bat corruption and promote the integrity of vernment officals. Several proposals were made in this context, both with regard to general criminal law as with regard to the rules conceming civil servants. The government has taken a number of initatives with regard to the struggle against corruption and that this issue has a prom inent position on the political agenda 5 Relationship between political and criminal responsibility of officials As an explanation for the fact that the Act on Ministerial Responsibility has never been pplied, Kortmann has suggested27 that in the Netherlands there is less need of criminal responsibility of ministers because they can be sent away for political reasons, Koopmans 1970 already called for an agonising reappraisal of the role of Parliament. Scheltema2000, p. 1862. For a different view, see Zilstra 2001 Kortmann 1995. Kortmann& Bovend Eert 2000, p. 116: Abo as far as crimnal respons bility is Icerned, it can be stated that this is completely eclipsed by politicalresponsibiliDE LANGE 10 both with regard to political control and with regard to Parliament's role in the process of legislation.24 In an essay in the Nederlands Juristenblad, Scheltema has summarized the ratio of political responsibility in two points: * that government policies correspond with the wishes of the majority of the population, since political functionaries make the crucial policy choices; political responsibility serves democratic legitimation; * In a general sense, ministerial responsibility serves to ensure that the governmental organisation functions well.25 It serves to establish lines of responsibility within the governmental organisation. Since the organisation is hierarchical, responsibility is naturally also hierarchical. Scheltema argues that for guaranteeing the quality of the public service, other mechanisms than political responsibility of ministers are more appropriate. Monitoring by independent bodies, such as a `Quality Chamber', would be feasible and appropriate according to Scheltema.26 4.5 The problem of government integrity A parliamentary commission has made an inquiry into the use of `experimental' forms of criminal investigation by the police. During that inquiry allegations were made that police officers had been involved in drug trafficking. Obviously this caused grave concern, so much so that after some years a new parliamentary inquiry was made to see what had been done with the results of the first one. The second inquiry resulted in a report in which again very alarming figures were produced. Both these inquiries gave a boost to the government's attempts to combat corruption and promote the integrity of government officials. Several proposals were made in this context, both with regard to general criminal law as with regard to the rules concerning civil servants. The government has taken a number of initiatives with regard to the struggle against corruption and that this issue has a prominent position on the political agenda. 5 Relationship between political and criminal responsibility of officials As an explanation for the fact that the Act on Ministerial Responsibility has never been applied, Kortmann has suggested27 that in the Netherlands there is less need of criminal responsibility of ministers because they can be sent away for political reasons, 24. Koopmans 1970 already called for an `agonising reappraisal' of the role of Parliament. 25. Scheltema 2000, p. 1862. 26. For a different view, see Zijlstra 2001. 27. Kortmann 1995. Kortmann & Bovend'Eert 2000, p. 116: `Also as far as criminal responsibility is concerned, it can be stated that this is completely eclipsed by political responsibility