Acts of parliament

Question 1

Types of bills 8m

Answer 1

Private bill - applies to certain areas/companies, promoted by organisations
Public bill - introduced by gov, aimed at public as a whole
Private member bill - introduced by backbench MPs, annual ballot to decide

Question 2

Bill to Law 8m

Answer 2

First reading - title of bill, brief intro
Second reading - main principles debated, vote
Committee stage - line by line consideration. amendments
Report stage - amendments discussed
Third reading - general discussion, final debate, no amendments
Other house - same previous stages
Ping pong - rejections and amendments between houses for a compromise
Royal assent - signed by monarch, official law

Question 3

Idea to bill 8m

Answer 3

Green paper written, draft of a bill
Unsure about details, issue a green paper
Paper receives consultation from interested parties
Consideration of views, necessary changes made
White paper with firm proposals for new law, using consult
May issue white without green if have firm views (criticised)

Question 4

Role of crown/ government 8m

Answer 4

Decide how taxes are spent
Formed by party with most rep in HOC
Manage the country
Divided into departments (health)
Pm selects some MPs from HOL and HOC for the cabinet
Make laws
Debate issues

Question 5

Advantages of the legislative process

Answer 5

A democratic process, HOC is elected by the public (representation), but HOL is selected
Extreme scrutiny, committee stage (line by line), adv as it’s clear/ easy for public to understand
A lengthy process, multiple votes and ping pong, despite delays passed quick in emergency
Green papers ensure specialism, interested parties inform MPs, means bills that need certain knowledge get it

Question 6

Disadvantages of the legislative process

Answer 6

Undemocratic, the HOL are selected members (don’t represent public), however HOC is elected
Lack of specialism, MPs aren’t experts and some bills need certain knowledge, however green paper stop this
Lengthy process, bills take a long time to pass due to ping pong, important laws that are beneficial to the public aren’t made quickly
Behaviour during emergencies when laws are passed quickly, don’t undergo proper scrutiny, public react negatively, however may be necessary