Legislation

Question 1

What are four influences on Parliament?

Answer 1

1. Political influence
2. Public opinion/media
3. Pressure groups
4. Law reform bodies

Question 2

What are pressure groups?

Answer 2

Bring matters they are interested in to attention of general bublic and gov

Question 3

What are sectional pressure groups?

Answer 3

Represent interests of a particular group of people

Question 4

What are some examples of sectional pressure groups?

Answer 4

• Law society(solicitors)
• british medical association(doctors)
• Trade unions

Question 5

What is a cause pressure group?

Answer 5

Promote particular cause?

Question 6

What are examples of cause pressure groups?

Answer 6

• Greenpeace
• Just stop oil
• BLM

May protest for change in the law

Question 7

What is meant by “lobbying”?

Answer 7

Try to persuade an individual member of parliament

Question 8

What are two advantages of pressure groups?

Answer 8

• Brings wide range of issues to attention
• Make government aware of damage to environment

Question 9

What are two disadvantages of pressure groups?

Answer 9

• Some pressure groups seek to impose ideas even if minority of public
• Some pressure groups have conflicting interests (civil unrest) (fox hunting)

Question 10

What affect does the media have on the government and legislation?

Answer 10

When strong public opinion to change law government may bow to opinion

Esspecially if close to General Election

Question 11

What are some examples of the media?

Answer 11

• Television
• Radio
• Newspaper
• News apps
• Social media

Question 12

What are two advantages of the media?

Answer 12

• May be affected by specific events (massacre in 1996 16 children made Fire Arms Act 1997 No semi automatic hand guns)
• Free press advantage as can criticise gov (2009 changed parliaments expenses)

Question 13

What are two disadvantages off the media?

Answer 13

• Gov may respond to quickley to high profile incidents, knee-jerk reaction (Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 made fast includes dog breed that don’t exist
• Media can manipulate public opinion

Question 14

What is the law commision?

Answer 14

Modernises and simplifies law, repeal old laws

Question 15

When was the law commision set up?

Answer 15

1965

Question 16

Who are the members of the law commision?

Answer 16

High court judge and legal experts

Researchers and draftsmen

Question 17

How often does the law commision send their report of recommendations?

Answer 17

Yearly

Question 18

What percentage of reforms from the law commision are enacted

Answer 18

50%

Lack of time other pressing matters

Question 19

What are some examples of reforms the law commision has lead to?

Answer 19

• Unfair Contract Terms Act 1977
• OLA 84
• Fraud Act 2006

Question 20

What are four advantages of the law commission?

Answer 20

1. Legally qualified experts
2. Politically independant less bias
3. If Parliament codifies makes simpler
4. Helps remove unecessary laws

Question 21

What are two disadvantages of the Law Commision?

Answer 21

1. Lack of parliamentary time
2. Gov not bound to accept reports or enact so many areas not taken up

Question 22

What are the two main stages of legislation?

Answer 22

1. Whitehall stage
2. Westminster stage

Question 23

What are the three ways bills can be started?

Answer 23

1. Public bills
2. Private members bills
3. From comissions

Question 24

What are public bills?

Answer 24

Proposed by gov departments by Ministers/Civil servants

Question 25

What is the first stage of the Whitehall stage?

Answer 25

Consultation document Green Paper | Very general asks for views

Question 26

What is made after the Green Paper?

Answer 26

Once views recieved gov will make White Paper | Set out decided proposals

Question 27

Are bills occasionally scrutinised by parlimentary committees? | Yes/No Question

Answer 27

Yes

Question 28

What happens once a department has decided on proposals in White Papers?

Answer 28

Passed to Civil Servants to be drafted

Question 29

What do bills have to be approved by to have time in Parliament?

Answer 29

The Future Business Committee

Question 30

What is the first stage of the Westminter stage?

Answer 30

First Reading

Question 31

What happens in the First Reading?

Answer 31

Formal stage bills is presented before house | No debate on its contents

Question 32

What is the second stage of the Westminster Stage?

Answer 32

The Second Reading

Question 33

What is the Second Reading?

Answer 33

Ministers set out policy objectives of bill | Broadly debated

Question 34

What is the third stage pf the Westminster stage?

Answer 34

Committee stage

Question 35

What is the committee stage?

Answer 35

Detailed scrutiny of clauses by Standing Committee | 18MP's selected by Committee of Selection ## Footnote Amendments proposed

Question 36

Is there a Standing Committee majority?

Answer 36

Almost always

Question 37

What is the fourth stage of the Westminster stage?

Answer 37

Report Stage

Question 38

What is the Report Stage?

Answer 38

Back in commons | Changes made accepted or rejected

Question 39

What is the fifth stage of the Westminster stage?

Answer 39

Third Reading

Question 40

What is the Third Reading?

Answer 40

Final formal stage | Bill confirmed no changes

Question 41

What is the Sixth stage of the Westminster stage?

Answer 41

The House of Lords ## Footnote Procedure the same as in commons

Question 42

Can the House of Lords stop law being passed?

Answer 42

No | Can slow it down

Question 43

What is the seventh stage of the Westminster stage?

Answer 43

Royal Assent | Final stage King signs Act