5: law making: goverment/parliamentary

Question 1

Governemnt/Parliamentary process

What is the difference between the green paper and white paper in government process?

Answer 1

Green Paper = a consultative document where people are invited to give their views
White Paper = a firm set of proposals for people to view before it becomes a draft Bill.

Question 2

Governemnt/Parliamentary process

What is the purpose of the ‘First Reading’ of a bill?

Answer 2

Name and main aims of the Bill are read out and a formal vote is taken

Question 3

Governemnt/Parliamentary process

What is the purpose of the ‘Second Reading’ of a bill?

Answer 3

Where the main debate takes place followed by another vote

Question 4

Governemnt/Parliamentary process

Why is the ‘Second Reading’ considered the most important vote?

Answer 4

A successful vote here means it is likely to pass through the House

Question 5

Governemnt/Parliamentary process

What happens during the Committee stage?

Answer 5

A chosen group of representatives who look closely at the Bill to address any issues and suggest appropriate amendments, based on debate from the Second Reading

Question 6

Governemnt/Parliamentary process

What happens during the ‘Report stage’ of a bill?

Answer 6

The Committee report back to the full house who then vote on the proposed amendments

Question 7

Governemnt/Parliamentary process

What is the ‘Third Reading’?

Answer 7

The final vote on the Bill and is usually a formality

Question 8

Governemnt/Parliamentary process

What is the ‘ping pong’ stage in the government process?

Answer 8

The Lords have limited powers and can only send back the Bill for amendments. This is called the “ping pong” which will continue until the Bill is agreed by both Houses

Question 9

Governemnt/Parliamentary process

What is the ‘Royal Assent’ stage?

Answer 9

The monarch formally gives approval to the Bill becoming an Act of Parliament on the commencement date

Question 10

Governemnt/Parliamentary process

How long can the House of Lords reject the bill?

Answer 10

Up to a year

Question 11

Governemnt/Parliamentary process

What are the stages in order?

Answer 11

1. First Reading (usually starts in the House of Commons)
2. Second Reading
3. Committee Stage
4. Report Stage
5. Third Reading
6. All above stages are repeated in the other House
7. Royal Assent