Pre-legislative process

Question 1

What are the 2 stages in the pre-legislative process?

Answer 1

Green Paper and White Paper.

Question 2

What is a green paper?

Answer 2

A consultative document on a topic where a government view is put forward with proposals for new law reform. Interested parties are invited to send comments so necessary changes can be made to the proposals.

Question 3

What is a white paper?

Answer 3

A document containing the governments firm proposals for new law.

Question 4

What happens when a white paper has been published?

Answer 4

The proposals are drafted in a bill. It only becomes law if it successfully completes all the stages of the legislative process.

Question 5

What are the 3 types of bills that can be drawn up?

Answer 5

Public bill
Private bill
Private member’s bill

Question 6

What is a public bill?

Answer 6

A bill that involves a matter of public policy which will affect the whole country or large section of it. For example: Equality act 2010

Question 7

What is a private bill?

Answer 7

Designed only to affect individual people or corporations, not a whole community. For example: Edward and Dorris Marriage enabling act 1980

Question 8

What is a private member’s bill?

Answer 8

Introduced by an individual backbencher MP. The bill will affect the whole public. These are usually moral or ethical issues which parties will not usually make a stand on. For example: Murder (Abolition of the death penalty) Act 1965.

Question 9

In which two ways can a private member’s bill be introduced?

Answer 9

A ballot
Ten minute rule