Parliamentary law making Flashcards
What are the 4 main functions of parliament
- examine new proposed laws
- assessing the governments work
- debating major issues of the day
- Carrying out work of government
What is original legislation
a new law
Definition of consolidating law
bringing together laws that are in different acts
What does codifying laws mean
Creating a new statute law by bringing together similar laws into one act
What is meant by amending legislation
altering an existing act
What is the role of the house of common
- MP’s examine government work
- debate new laws
- make and review laws
- represent the public
What is the role of the house of lords
- debate and vote about bills
- Make amendments to bills when necessary
- scrutinise government work
What is a bill
Draft law proposed to parliament
What is a public bill
aimed at a vast majority of the public
What is a private bill
bills that only apply to certain areas
What is a private members bill
- A bill made by MP’s and not government ministers
- Often fail because there is not enough time to debate them
What is the difference between green and white paper
- Government publish a green paper which states why they would like to make a new law
- White paper is then produced which contains more details about the proposed law. Once this is drafted it is put forward and a bill is drafted and put before parliament
What is the passage of a bill through parliament
- First hearing = Bill is introduced to MP’s
- Second hearing = Aims of bill outlined
- Committee stage = Bill is discussed between MP’s
- Report stage= HoL consider any amendments
- Third hearing = Voting takes place
- House of lords = Bill can be rejected or accepted
- Royal assent = Bill becomes an act of parliament
What is parliamentary supremacy
Makes parliament supreme as they are in charge of creating or ending laws.
- can legislate anything
- no parliament bound by past successor
