Legaslative Process Flashcards
What is first issued and by whom?
A Green Paper is issued by the relevant Government Minister.
What is a Green Paper?
It is a consultative document in which the government’s view is put forward with proposals for law reform.
Who can be invited and why?
Interested parties are invited to send comments.
Secondly, what may the government publish?
A White Paper, but can go ahead with draft legislation.
What is a White Paper?
It includes firm proposals for a new law to be put before Parliament.
Usually, from where should the Bill be passed?
By both Houses of Parliament
Where is the Bill usually introduced?
In the House of Commons, but may start in the House of Lords too.
What type of Bill must start in the House of Commons?
Financial Bills
If the Bill starts in the House of Commons, what happens first?
The First Reading
First Reading
It is a formal procedure where the name and aims of the Bill are read out, usually with no discussion or vote.
What is the 2nd stage?
Second Reading
Second Reading
This is where MP’s have the main debate about the principles of the Bill.
At the end of the Second Reading what must happen for the Bill to be able to proceed to the next stage?
A vote is taken in the end of the debate, and the majority must be in favour of the Billl for it to proceed tot he next stage.
What is the 3rd stage?
The Committee Stage
The Committee Stage
This is where a detailed examination of each clause of the Bill is undertaken by a Public Bill Committee, any proposed amendments are voted on and may be passed onto the next stage.
In the Committee Stage, how many MP’s are in a Public Bill Committee?
15-60 MPs
How are the political parties represented during the Committee Stage?
In proportion to the number of MPs they have in the House of Commons.
Committee Stage- how are the members of these committees chosen/
They are chosen based on expertise or interest in a particular field.
What happens to Financial Bills in the Committee Stage?
The whole House will sit in committee.
What is the fourth stage?
The Report Stage
The Report Stage
This is where the committee report back to the House on any amendments passed, the amendments are debated and voted upon, and further amendments may be added after the debate and vote.
What is the fifth stage?
The Third Reading
The Third Reading
This the final vote of the Bill, and usually is a formality.
In the Third Reading, when can there be a further debate?
If at least 6 MPs requested one
