Parliament

Question 1

What are the functions of Parliament

Answer 1

Legislation, Scrutiny, Debate and Representation

Question 2

What is a Frontbencher

Answer 2

An MP or member of the Lords who holds a ministerial or shadow ministerial position

Question 3

What is a Backbencher

Answer 3

An MP or member of the HoL who does not hold a ministerial or shadow ministerial position

Question 4

How many MPs are there and how are they elected

Answer 4

650. FPTP in constituencies based on population

Question 5

What is Parliamentary Privilege

Answer 5

Legal immunity. MPs can say whatever they want in Parliament

Question 6

What are the roles of the Whips

Answer 6

Appointed MPs who ensure that MPs attend parliamentary divisions, issuing instructions on how to vote. They enforce discipline within the parliamentary party. Rebellious MPs may be expelled from the party by having the whip withdrawn.

Question 7

What is the role of the Speaker

Answer 7

-Temporarily suspend MPs
-Select MPs to speak and maintain order
-Remain impartial, giving up their party affiliation

Question 8

What is a Hereditary vs Life Peer

Answer 8

Inheriting the title vs being appointed during their lifetime

Question 9

Who else is in the HoL

Answer 9

Lords Spiritual: bishops and archbishops

Question 10

How many hereditary peers had there been before the Lords Reform Act 1999

Answer 10

Over 750

Question 11

An example of representative Life Peers

Answer 11

John Bird: former homeless man, founder of Big Issue

Question 12

Parliament Act 1949

Answer 12

HoL can only delay a bill for one year, after which the Commons can pass the bill unchanged

Question 13

Examples of use for the Parliament Act of 1949

Answer 13

2000: Sexual Offences Act which leveled the age of consent for homosexual couples
2004: Hunting Act which prohibited the use of dogs for hunting

Question 14

What is Party Balance

Answer 14

Cross party support in the HoL

Question 15

What is an Act of Parliament

Answer 15

A law passed by Parliament

Question 16

What is a bill

Answer 16

A proposal for a new law, or change to an existing law

Question 17

What is a Green Paper

Answer 17

A government document setting out various options for legislation and inviting comment

Question 18

What is a Public Bill

Answer 18

A bill concerning a general issue of public policy, introduced by a government minister

Question 19

What is a White Paper

Answer 19

A government document setting out a detailed proposal for legislation

Question 20

What is the first stage of the Legislative process

Answer 20

First reading: formal presentation of the bill on the floor of the house. No debate or vote at this stage

Question 21

What is the second stage of the Legislative process

Answer 21

Second reading: main debate on the principle of the bill. Gov minister explains and justifies the objective of the bill. Shadow minister and backbenchers contribute to the debate. Gov defeats at this stage are incredibly rare

Question 22

What is the third stage of the Legislative process

Answer 22

Committee stage: Bills sent to a public bill committee (one made for every bill, dissolved after this stage). Detailed scrutiny takes place. Amendments tabled by the government. May take evidence from external experts.
-Finance bills and bills of constitutional significance are scrutinised on the floor of the Commons in a Committee of the Whole House

Question 23

What is the fourth stage of the Legislative process

Answer 23

Report stage: Amendments are considered by the whole HoC, who can accept, reject or alter them

Question 24

What is the fifth stage of the Legislative process

Answer 24

Third reading: Debate on the amended bill. No further amendments are permitted

Question 25

What is the sixth stage of the Legislative process

Answer 25

HoL stages: repeat these stages in the HoL. Amendments made in the Lords can be agreed with, rejected or amended by the Commons. (Parliamentary Ping-Pong)

Question 26

Parliamentary Ping Pong examples

Answer 26

Prevention of Terrorism Bill 2005. Over 30 hours, the bill was considered 5 times by the Lords and 4 times by the Commons The bill:Allowed the Sec of State to place people he suspected of terrorism under house arrest, restrict their access to mobile telephones and the internet and required that visitors be named in advance Eventually compromised, agreeing to review the legislation in a year