UNIT 3: Parliament: composition, nature, functions

Question 1

What are the twin pillars of the British constitution?

Answer 1

-parliamentary sovereignty
-the rule of law

Question 2

What are the three elements of parliament?

Answer 2

1) House of Commons
-650 members
-shadow cabinet
-commons speaker, has to remain politically impartial
2) House of Lords
-members appointed
-less powerful than HC
3) Crown in Parliament
-acts on advice of parliament

Question 3

What are the three examples of monarchs role in parliament?

Answer 3

1) Royal assent
2) Monarch opens and dissolves parliament
3) Monarchs speech- talks about govt. plan for legislation which is written by the govt.

Question 4

When does parliament meet?

Answer 4

-Bill of rights ‘frequently’
-Meeting of parliament act 1694: at least every three years
-by convention annually

Question 5

What is the maximum length of parliament?

Answer 5

-5 years
-exceptional circumstances like war apply

Question 6

Can the PM call an election anytime?

Answer 6

-Yes, which gives govt. advantage as elections can be called when it’s favourable for PM
-The Dissolution of calling of parliament 2022 allows PM to request a dissolution from the monarch

Question 7

What are the four key functions of parliament?

Answer 7

1) Government formation- HC & HL
2) Financial procedures- cannot raise or spend taxes without approval of parliament
3) Enactment of legislation- enacts primary legislation e.g. bills that afre brought to Parliament

Question 8

What are private member bills?

Answer 8

-introduced by MP’s not govt. ministers
-ballot system allows for 20 MP’s to introduce bills per session
-usually fail without govt. support

Question 9

What are public bills?

Answer 9

-aim to change laws that apply to general public

Question 10

What are the stages of a typical bill?

Answer 10

1) Drafting
2) First reading
3) second reading- first opportunity for bill to be debated
4) Committee stage- where the bill is either amended, removed or agreed
5) Report stage- amendment or and debated
6) Third reading- no further amendments can be made, at the end HC debates whether to approve the bill
7) House of Lords- bills must be returned to HC if amended, if there’s no agreement between HC & HL the bill falls, govt. may use parliament act procedure to pass bill without HL
8) Royal assent