Paper 2.1 - Parliamentary Law Making

Question 1

What is an Act of Parliament?

Answer 1

A piece of legislation drawn up by Parliament that amends the country’s laws.

Question 2

Describe the process used to pass an Act of Parliament.

Answer 2

Green Paper
White Paper
Bill
—— (at House of Commons)
First Reading
Second Reading
Committee stage
Report stage
Third Reading
—— (repeat above at House of Lords)
Royal Assent.

Question 3

What is green paper?

Answer 3

MP gets expert opinions on green paper when making a bill.

Question 4

What is white paper?

Answer 4

MP states how the bill will reform the law.

Question 5

What is a bill?

Answer 5

The first draft of an Act.

Question 6

What happens at the First Reading?

Answer 6

The name and description of the Bill is read; this allows MPs to get an opinion on it.

Question 7

What happens at the Second Reading?

Answer 7

Bill is read, a debate ensues and then a vote takes place. If majority, the bill continues.

Question 8

What happens at the Committee stage?

Answer 8

A committee of MPs (16-50) examine each clause of the bill. The committee is proportionally representative of the government.

Question 9

What happens at the Report stage?

Answer 9

Committee reports back to House on the amendments to the law, which will be accepted or rejected.

Question 10

What happens at the Third Reading?

Answer 10

Last draft of the bill is read; a vote takes place however this is usually a formality.

Question 11

What is Royal Assent?

Answer 11

The reigning monarch signs off on the bill to make it an Act.

Question 12

A bill may skip the House of Lords if what happens?

Answer 12

House of Lords rejected the bill in the previous Parliamentary session.

Question 13

What are the three types of bill?

Answer 13

Public
Private Members’
Private.

Question 14

What is a public bill?

Answer 14

Bill is introduced by a government minister in their area of expertise (eg Home Secretary introduced Illegal Migration Bill).

Question 15

What is a private members’ bill?

Answer 15

Bill is introduced by either an MP or a Lord/Lady through a ballot (eg Abortion Act 1967) or through the 10 minute rule.

Question 16

What is a ballot?

Answer 16

A way for a private members’ bill to be introduced: 20 MPs are selected to introduce it in a Parliamentary session.

Question 17

What is the 10 minute rule in Parliament?

Answer 17

Any MP may make a 10 minute speech on a proposal for a law.

Question 18

What is a private bill?

Answer 18

Starts in either House; change law for individuals / small groups, promoted by companies or local authorities (eg National Rail may promote a bill for more tracks).

Question 19

What are four advantages of the legislative process?

Answer 19

EG
Neither side has complete power.
Emergency laws can be passed quickly.
MPs are experts in their subjects.
Process is robust (lots of checks).

Question 20

What are four disadvantages of the legislative process?

Answer 20

EG
Bills can take ages to pass if HOL reject it (ie Online Safety Bill took 6 years).
Doesn’t take into account public opinion.
HOL and Monarch aren’t elected; public cannot control law.
Acts are complex and long (Online Safety Bill is 300 pgs)
Private Members’ Bills rarely work as they tend to be outside the cabinet’s manifesto.