2.1.? The main functions of the HoC

Question 1

Explain the process of passing a bill (part of legislation)

Answer 1

1. HoC must agree to enact a bill if it is to become law
2. the bill is formally presented to Parliament at its first reading
3. MPs then have their first opportunity to debate the main principles of a bill at its second reading
4. following its second reading, a bill is scrutinised in detail by MPs on a Public Bill Committee
5. the bill is further debated at its report state & at its third reading: it then gets sent to the HoL where the same process takes place
6. finally, once all the appropriate stages have been successfully preceded through , a bill receives royal assent and becomes law

Question 2

What has gone wrong for legislation in the HoC?

Answer 2

• the various stages at which a bill is scrutinised before it becomes law should mean that the legislative function of the HoC works well
• on the contrary, critics note that:

no1: the Public Bill Committees vote on party lines & always have a government majority, which would impact the objectivity when offering amendments to a bill
no2: MPs are regularly expected to vote the way the whips tell them to, limiting genuine engagement with the potential strengths & weaknesses of a bill
no3: many changes to the law are now made by

Question 3

What are ‘party lines’?

Answer 3

a policy, or the policies collectively, officially adopted by a political party