Parliamentary Law Making

Question 1

HoC

Answer 1

Made up of 650 MP elected by public

Question 2

HoL

Answer 2

Made up of over 800 peers appointed by monarch

Question 3

Monarchy

Answer 3

Must give royal assent to all new law

Question 4

Pre-Leg Stage: Green and White Paper

Answer 4

GP = consultation doc
WP = firm proposals

Question 5

1st Reading

Answer 5

Formality only. Bills name and main aims read out. Usually no discussion and no vote

Question 6

2nd Reading

Answer 6

Main debate, main principles discussed, catch eye of speaker if wish to speak. Vote at end for bill to progress

Question 7

Committee Stage

Answer 7

16-50 chosen for expertise + scrutinise bill line by line. Propose amendments and vote (whole house sits for finance)

Question 8

Report Stage

Answer 8

If no amendments proceed OR debate and reject changes

Question 9

3rd Reading

Answer 9

Final vote. No debate (formality almost)

Question 10

Other House

Answer 10

Bill then pass and proceed through same stages w/ same detail except committee as involves all. Then be sent back to HoC to pass to Royal Assent. May choose to reject amendments if any disagreement between houses passed back and forth known as ‘ping-pong’ process (now limited to one year due to Parliament Act 1949)

Question 11

Royal Assent

Answer 11

Monarch signs off

Question 12

Private Bills

Answer 12

Relate to specific area or project, sometimes only one or two individuals (Channel Tunnel Bill 1986)

Question 13

Gov Public Bill

Answer 13

Majority. Introduced by sponsor who is Gov Minister responsible for that area of law

Question 14

Private Members Bills

Answer 14

Introduced by backbench MP or peer (not in gov), chosen by ballot, most don’t become law but draw attention to particular issue