The basics on parliament and the constitution

Question 1

Parliament is the originator of the most important modern source of law - true or false

Answer 1

true

Question 2

What does it mean for parliament to be able to give law-making powers to other bodies and which bodies would these by

Answer 2

• Can give certain bodies law-making powers when specified in a statute
• these bodies include but are not exclusive to - local councils, government departments, other agencies

Question 3

what do select committees and parliamentary enquiries do in the house of commons

Answer 3

Mainly reviewing government departments

• cross party for each government department - spending, policies and administration
• calls of evidence focussing on the impact of legislation in the real world
• Recommendations made - govt must respond to each point raised

Question 4

what do select committees and parliamentary enquiries do in the house of lords

Answer 4

• mainly looking into specialist subjects to give their specialist input
• Permanent committees - EU, science and technology, constitution, economic affairs etc.

Question 5

Describe and explain the UK constitution

Answer 5

• Written but unmodified
• broad range of sources make up constitution - common law, statute, conventions (regularly observed practice), Major published works and academic contributions, royal prerogatives, EU law

Question 6

Describe some basic features of the House of Commons

Answer 6

• 650 seats MPs
• publicly elected
• 11 political parties currently represented
• Vast majority of legislation
• 320 MPs needed for a working majority

Question 7

Describe some basic features of the House of Lords

Answer 7

• Majority of members are appointed (peers)
• House of Lords appointment commission - apply to be a non-party political life peer
• dissolution/resignation honours - nominations from outgoing PMs and political party leaders
• 800 eligible members:
• Life peers - appointed members, whose titles cannot be inherited
• Archbishops and bishops - 26 C of E sit in HOL
• Hereditary members - HoL act 1999 got rid of most of these

Question 8

What are the devolved parliaments and what acts of parliament bought them about

Answer 8

• The Scottish Parliament - Scotland Act 1998
• Welsh Parliament - Government of Wales Act 1998
• Northern Ireland Assembly - Northern Ireland Act 1998