Parliamentary Law Making

Question 1

What is a bill?

Answer 1

A bill is a proposal for a new law or a proposal to change an existing law.

Question 2

What is a public bill?

Answer 2

• most common
• begin their journey in the House of Commons or House
  of Lords
• relate to laws effecting general population

Question 3

What is a private members bill?

Answer 3

• usually promoted by organisations like local authorities or public bodies
• only changes the law as it applies to specific individuals or organisations, rather than general public
• can petition Parliament against private bill

Question 4

Pre-legislative process

Answer 4

Takes place before bill enters Parliament.

1. Green paper - consultation document - groups outside Parliament are taken into account (pubs open after 11 - consulted police to consider anti-social behaviour)
2. White paper - more formal stage in proceedings with firm proposals being given and sometimes will involve the drafting of different sections of the bill - consulted both in and outside parliament.
3. Draft bill - This bill will be drawn up by legal experts in the civil servants for either the government or an MP if it is a public bill that affects the country.

Question 5

Influences on law making (pressure groups)

Answer 5

Groups which have a particular interest and try to bring matters they are interested in to the attention of the general public and government.

Hunting Act 2004
League against Cruel Sports - banned hunting foxes with dogs.

Question 6

Advantages and disadvantages of pressure groups

Answer 6

Large membership allows them to influence voting largely as they are often larger than political parties.

Only present a one sided argument - Father 4 Justice pressure group is bias about their right to have child access after divorce.

Question 7

Influences on law making (media)

Answer 7

The ways in which information is supplied to the public - TV, radio, newspapers. Where an issue is given high profile on TV, brings to the attention of other members of the public.

Question 8

Advantages and disadvantages of media

Answer 8

Public opinion affected by specific events - 1996 massacre - enquiry to the ownership of guns - petition.

Government may respond too quickly - law created too quickly - poorly drafted.