4) Legislative Process

Question 1

What are most bills introduced to parliament based on?

Answer 1

ideas suggested by the government.

any lord or MP can propose a bill.

Question 2

Why do MP’s and Lords examine the bills in detail?

Answer 2

ensure tiny details are not overlooked.

Question 3

What are changes to a bill called?

Answer 3

Amendments.

Question 4

What is royal assent?

Answer 4

when both houses agree and it is sent to the monarch to be signed/stamped.

Question 5

What is a green paper?

Answer 5

A proposal for a bill, informs, invites discussion from interested parties for ideas.

Question 6

What is a white paper?

Answer 6

More formal is a more formal published document which forms the basis of the bill.

Question 7

What is drafting?

Answer 7

Drafts the ideas from the papers into a bill.

Question 8

What are the three types of bills?

Answer 8

Public bill,
Private bill,
Hybrid bill.

Question 9

What are the two types of public bills?

Answer 9

Government bills,

Private Members Bills.

Question 10

Who does a public bill affect?

Answer 10

The whole population with few exceptions.

Question 11

Advantages of an act:

Answer 11

Democratic

Full reform

Broad policy

Consultation

Question 12

Why is democracy an advantage of acts?

Answer 12

made by elected representatives, who we have voted due to similar views. The government they are a part of can be voted out if not performing as expected.

Question 13

Why is full reform an advantage of an act?

Answer 13

can reform a whole area of law if needed, can fully transform outdated legislation.

Question 14

Why is broad policy an advantage of an act?

Answer 14

can set broad policies (delegated legislation) which allows ministers to make more detailed rules under these acts.

Question 15

Why is consultation an advantage of an act?

Answer 15

pre-legislative process allows for lots of consultation, discussion and scrutiny before the idea or bill can become a law.

Question 16

Disadvantages of an act:

Answer 16

Lack of time

Long process

Government control

Complexity

Question 17

Why is a lack of time a disadvantage of an act?

Answer 17

parliament can run out of time due to other pressing matters meaning the bill doesn’t complete the full process.

Question 18

Why is a long process a disadvantage of an act?

Answer 18

Bills can take months or longer to complete the legislative process, especially if the house of lords delays the bill.

Question 19

Why is government control a disadvantage of an act?

Answer 19

they control the timetable for legislation and prioritise specific legislation. They often don’t spend much time focusing on smaller matters or private members bills if there are larger issues occurring.

Question 20

Why is complexity a disadvantage of an act?

Answer 20

acts are often long and complex with many sections and technical vocabulary.

e.g. Criminal Justice Act 2003 has over 300 sections.

Question 21

What is the first stage in the legislative process?

Answer 21

The first reading.

A short title and very brief outline of the proposal is read to the house.

No discussion.

Question 22

What is the second stage of the legislative process?

Answer 22

The second reading.

The idea is taken back to the same house and they will hold a debate on the proposed bill. In the House of Commons, a vote will take place.
If the vote has a majority for, it will progress to the next stage. If a majority vote against it, it is the end of the bill.

Question 23

When do the house of lords have their first vote?

Answer 23

After the committee stage.

Question 24

What is the third stage of the legislative process?

Answer 24

The committee stage.

A committee of interested members or specialists will scrutinize the bill in its current form and make any necessary amendments. Once the committee are in agreement, it is sent to the next stage.

Question 25

What is the fourth stage of the legislative process?

Answer 25

The report stage.

The bill and all amendments are read to the house. They will review the changes and potentially suggest more. The commons will now vote for the second time and the lords for the first.

Question 26

What happens if they vote against a bill in the report stage?

Answer 26

The bill will go back to the committee stage and be changed, and then returns to the report stage.

Question 27

What is the fifth stage of the legislative process?

Answer 27

The third reading.

This bill is read to the house and there is typically no discussion at this point as it is almost in its completed form. It updates the house of the current situation.

Question 28

What is the sixth stage?

Answer 28

The other house.

The bill is now sent to the other house to complete the same stages. Both houses have to agree on the bill, meaning the second house can send the bill back to the first if they disagree. The commons ultimately have the final say, however, the house of lords can delay the bill for up to a year unless it covers any financial issues.

Question 29

How long can the House of Lords delay a bill?

Answer 29

They can delay a bill for up to a year unless it covers any financial issues.

Question 30

What is the seventh and final stage of the legislative process?

Answer 30

Royal assent.

All bills are not law until they pass this stage. The bill is presented to the monarch for their agreement which is never refused. It now becomes an act of parliament.