Parliamentary Law Making

Question 1

What are green papers?

Answer 1

Issued by a minister
Consultative document on law reform
Parties can recommended

Question 2

What is a white paper?

Answer 2

Consultative document with firm proposals for law reform.

Question 3

What are government bills and how is it introduced?

Answer 3

Bill by the government introduced by a government minister.

Question 4

What is a private members’ bill and how is it introduced? + example

Answer 4

Bill by private MPs. Introduced by a

ballot: MPs present a bill or 10 min rule: introducing a bill under 10 mins.
eg: WASTE RECYCLING ACT 2003

Question 5

What is a public bill? + example

Answer 5

Involves matters of public policy and affects general public

Example: DIGITAL ECONOMY ACT 2017

Question 6

What are private bills? + example

Answer 6

Affects specific individuals or organisations. eg: LEEDS CITY COUNCIL ACT 2013

Question 7

What are hybrid bills? + example

Answer 7

Mix characteristics of public and private bills. They affect the general public and specific individuals.
Example: cross rail bills

Question 8

Who must pass a bill?

Answer 8

Both houses of parliament

Question 9

Where do bills start?

Answer 9

House of commons or lords. Finance bills start in the house of commons.

Question 10

What is the procedure of a government bill in the house of commons?

Answer 10

First reading: Name and aim read out
Second reading: main debate of principles and vote
Committee stage: 16-50 MPs examine the bill then accept or reject based on a vote.
Report stage: Committee reports back amendments they’ve made. Then a vote.
Third reading: final debate then a vote.

Question 11

What is the procedure of a government bill in the house of lords? + example

Answer 11

If lords make amendments, commons must approve.
PARLIAMENT ACTS 1911 & 1949 the lords can delay a bill becoming law once the commons have approved it.
Final stage is royal assent where the monarch gives approval of the bill.

Question 12

What are the five influences on parliamentary law making?

Answer 12

Political Influences
Strong Public Opinion
The Media
Pressure Groups
Law Commission

Question 13

Advantage and disadvantage of political influences? + example

Answer 13

+ Efficient process as government has majority : EUROPEAN REFERENDUM ACT 2015
- Changes in law can be costly and open to criticism

Question 14

Advantage and disadvantages of strong public opinion? + example

Answer 14

+ Influenced by a specific event and influences parliament

- Government responds too quickly and this leads to poorly drafted law: Dangerous Dogs Act 1991

Question 15

Advantages and Disadvantages of media?

Answer 15

+ They can criticise government policy and bring issues to attention of the government
- Media can manipulate the news

Question 16

Advantages and disadvantages of pressure groups?

Answer 16

+ Issues can be drawn to the attention of the government

- Seeking to impose their ideas even when the majority don’t support the views

Question 17

Advantage and disadvantage of law commission

Answer 17

+ Areas of law are being researched by legal experts

- Reforms don’t always get implemented due to lack of time

Question 18

What is the doctrine of parliamentary supremacy/sovereignty?

Answer 18

• No limits on what laws can be made. Can change parliament laws.
• Parliaments should be free to make and change laws as it wishes. It can repeal any acts.
• No other body can overrule an act of parliament R (MILLER) V SECRETARY OF STATE FOR EXITING THE EU

Question 19

What are the 4 limitations on parliament supremacy?

Answer 19

• Impractical to repeal certain acts eg STATUTE OF WESTMINSTER 1921 states uk statues shouldn’t extend to commonwealth countries.
• All Acts of Parliament must be compatible with the european convention on human rights: H v MENTAL HEALTH REVIEW TRIBUNAL 2001
• Due to SCOTLAND ACT 1998 and WALES ACT 1998 parliament’s supremacy has been lost in these areas
• While the UK is a member of the EU there are limitations as EU law takes priority eg MERCHANT SHIPPING ACT 1988