AC1.1 - Describe the process for law making.

Question 1

Parliament

Answer 1

• Laws (also referred to as statutes or legislation) are made by passing Acts of Parliament.

Question 2

House of Commons

Answer 2

• These are elected to represent the people.
• There are 650 MPs (Members of Parliament).
• Each MP represents their constituency (area they were elected from).

Question 3

House of Lords

Answer 3

• Members also referred to as peers, made up of 800.
• Members (e.g. Dukes & Barons) pass down their position to the next generation, passing the position down hereditary.
• 92 hereditary peers.
• 26 Church of England bishops and archbishops.
• The Lords double check new laws.

Question 4

The Monarch

Answer 4

• The Queen

- Signs off a Bill debated between the Lords and Commons to legitimately become an Act of Parliament.

Question 5

Government

Answer 5

• They run the country.
• Created by the political party that has a majority.
• Prime Minister is the leader of the majority party.
• Proposals for new laws come from the Government.

Question 6

A Bill

Answer 6

• A proposal for a new law.

Question 7

Green Paper

Answer 7

• The initial report to trigger public discussion of the subject.
• Includes questions for interested individuals and organisations to respond to.

Question 8

White Paper

Answer 8

• After a consultation, this will be published.
• It sets out detailed plans for the legislation.
• Include a draft of the Bill to put before Parliament.

Question 9

First Reading

Answer 9

• Government introduces the Bill into the House of Commons/Lords which is a formal announcement of the Bill, followed by a vote.

Question 10

Second Reading

Answer 10

• Main principles of the Bill are considered and debated in the House of Commons and a vote is taken.
• If the Government has support of a majority of the MPs they win the vote, then the Bill goes to the next stage.

Question 11

The Committee Stage

Answer 11

• The Bill is looked at in detail.
• This is done by a small committee of MPs from different parties.
• They report back to the House of Commons and may propose changes to the Bill.

Question 12

The Report Stage

Answer 12

• This allows MPs the opportunity to look at the committee’s report and will debate and vote on amendments (this can sometimes take several days).

Question 13

Third Reading

Answer 13

• The final chance for the House of Commons to debate the Bill’s contents.
• No further changes can be made and the House votes to pass/reject the Bill.

Question 14

The House of Lords

Answer 14

• The Bill goes to the House of Lords which then goes through the same stages before the Lords amend the Bill.
• Then The House of Commons then decide to to accept/reject the changes.
• House of Commons with have the final say.

Question 15

Royal Assent

Answer 15

• Once the Bill has been passed by both houses, it is signed by the Monarch.
• This will then allow the Bill to become a legitimate Act of Parliament - it comes into force straight away.