UNIT 3: The House of Lords

Question 1

What are the two functions of the HL?

Answer 1

-legislative
-scrutiny, revises bills passed by commons

Question 2

How does the HL scrutinize the executive? List four things

Answer 2

1) Question to ministers in HL
2) HL debates
3) Votes on govt. bills on the Lords
4) HL select committees

Question 3

What are the three categories of memberships in parliament?

Answer 3

1) Hereditary peers- 1999 700 peers, 1999 house of Lords Act reduced number to 92
2) Lords spiritual- 26 bishops, can vote but by convention aren’t part of any party
3) Life peers- given title by monarch on advice of PM

Question 4

Can HL veto legislation?

Answer 4

-No; can only delay it by a month if it’s a money bill Parliament Act 1911 and two years for non- money bills Parliament Act 1949 reduced it to a year

Question 5

What are the main criticisms of the HL?

Answer 5

-undemocratic
-socially unrepresentative
-poor attendance
-too many members

Question 6

What are the four options for reforming the HL?

Answer 6

1) abolition- no replacement, democratic
2) A fully appointed second chamber, chosen based off their expertise/ least democratic
3) A fully elected second chamber, most democratic/ same as HC
4) Part elected part appointed second chamber, most ideal compromise/ what % should be elected and appointed