Parliamentary Law Making Flashcards
(10 cards)
Purpose of green papers
Present ideas, invite consultation
Purpose of white papers
Statement of reforming law
Types of parliamentary bills
- Public
- Private
- Private members bills
Purpose of public bills
Affect all, public policy, most common (Constitutional Reform Act 2003)
Purpose of private bills
Aimed at corporations and individuals (eg. grant power for specific infrastructure projects)
Purpose of private members bills
Introduced by MP’s via ballot during the 10 minute rule in the HoC (University College London Act 1996)
State and describe the legislative stages
1) HoC 1st reading = introduce bill, no debate, short title only, papers distributed
2) HoC 2nd reading = first debate, main principles, vote at end
3) Committee stage = thoroughly decide on every clause, 16-50MP’s sit in committee (all MP’s for fraud)
4) Report stage = rest of the MP’s vote on changes made by committee
5) HoC 3rd reading = final vote before going to HoL
6) HoL 1st reading
7) HoC 2nd reading
8) Committee stage = all members scrutinise every clause without restrictions
9) HoL 3rd reading
10) HoC (may ping pong)
12) Royal assent = given short title, formality
Describe the process of ping pong
When a bill is passed back and forth between HoC and HoL up to several times if cannot agree (Prevention of Terrorism Bill 2005). HoC has more power because elected and so can use Parliament Acts 1911 + 1949 to force through to royal assent (War Crimes Act 1991, EU Parliamentary Elections Act 1998, Sexual Offences Act 2000)
Describe the advantages of parliamentary law making
- Democratic
- Delegation
- Law Commission
- Thorough scrutiny (prevent bad law being passed)
- Explanatory notes (judicial interpretation)
Describe the disadvantages of parliamentary law making
- Not true democracy (HoL)
- Some laws not well known (max certainty)
- Not need to follow LC advise
- Can force through legislation
- Complex language (clarity and accessibility)
- Lack specialism (HoC)
