Structure and Role of Parliament- Legislative Process

Question 1

What happens during the 1st reading?

Answer 1

Title of the bill is read and date is set for the 2nd reading.
Bill is published online for public to see.

Question 2

What happens during the 2nd reading?

Answer 2

*First opportunity for bill to be debated.
* Presented by the minister responsible.
* Opposition then have a chance to respond.
* Backbenchers can debate.
Speaker calls for ayes and nos.
* If unclear MPs vote in division lobbies.

Question 3

What happens during the Committee stage?

Answer 3

• Bill is scrutinised by MPs in committee line by line.
• ‘A committee of the whole house takes place’.
• public interest is sometimes consulted.
• MPs can suggest amendments to a bill.

Question 4

What happens during the report stage?

Answer 4

• Report is presented to parliament.
• Any amendments are considered by MPs
• All amendments are verbally voted on.
• This decides if amendments should stay on the bill.
  Debating amendments takes a lot of time.

Question 5

What happens during the 3rd reading?

Answer 5

• Final debate and chance to ask questions
• Positives of the bill with final amendments are discussed
• There is a vote by MPs if the bill should pass to the other house.

Question 6

What is parliamentary ping pong?

Answer 6

Consideration of any amendments means bill is passed back and fourth between houses.

Question 7

What can the commons do to stop ping pong?

Answer 7

Use Parliamentary acts of 1911 and 1949.

Question 8

When have the parliamentary acts of 1911 and 1949 been used?

Answer 8

Rwanda Act 2022 and Hunting Bans.