Ch5- UK gov + law Flashcards
1
Q
Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) are elected on the basis of:
A
proportional representation (seats allocalted to each party in proportion to total no. of votes)
2
Q
The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation is a group of European and North American countries that was created with which TWO purposes:
NATO
A
- help each other if they come under attack
- maintain peace betw mems
3
Q
small claims procedure for minor disputes for:
A
- claims of < £10,000 in England and Wales
- < £3,000 in Scotland and Northern Ireland
4
Q
Chancellor of the Exchequer
A
Economy
5
Q
Proceedings in Parliament
A
- broadcast on TV
- published in official reports- Hansard
6
Q
The public can listen to debates in the Palace of Westminster from public galleries in the House of…
A
Commons + Lords
7
Q
Which of the following organisations has no power to make laws but draws up conventions and charters, including the European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms?
A
Council of Europe-
protection + promotion of human rights
8
Q
most serious criminal cases, eg murder, in Scotland
A
High Court
9
Q
The leader of the opposition leads his or her party in pointing out what they see as the government’s
A
- failures
- weaknesses
10
Q
What is the minimum age requirement to drive a mopped (motorbike) in the UK?
A
16
11
Q
How many countries formed the European Economic Community (EEC) when it was first created in 1957?
A
European Union (EU), originally called the European Economic Community (EEC), was set up by 6 western European countries (Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands) who signed the Treaty of Rome on 25 March 1957.
12
Q
In which city is the Northern Ireland Assembly building, also known as Stormont, located?
A
Belfast
13
Q
MPs’ office
A
House of Commons (Westminster)
14
Q
def
Magistrate
A
- trained, volunteer mem of local community
- make decisions in criminal + family cases in Mgistrates’ court + Family court
15
Q
Magistrates and Justices of the Peace (JPs) in England, Wales and Scotland
A
- unpaid
- x need legal qualifications
16
Q
Which is more independent, House of Commons or House of Lords?
A
Lords
17
Q
Does Britain have a written constitution?
A
No
This is mainly because the UK, unlike America or France, has never had a revolution which led permanently to a totally new system of government.
18
Q
When were the United Nations set up?
A
After WWII- prevent war + promote international peace + security
19
Q
copies of Hansard found in
A
- large libraries
- www.parliament.uk
20
Q
How many senior MPs are appointed by the Prime Minister?
A
~20 (to be in charge of departments)
21
Q
Prime Minister house
A
10 Downing Street
- country house outside London- Chequers
22
Q
Elections for the European Parliament
A
every 5 years
MEP (mem of European Parliament)
23
Q
What is the name of the building where the Scottish Parliament meet?
A
Holyrood (Edinburgh)
24
Q
Which court deals with minor criminal cases in England, Wales and Northern Ireland?
A
Magistrates’ Court
Scotland- Justice of the Peace Court
24
Who forms the shadow cabinet?
Senior opposition MPs appointed by the leader of the opposition
- challenge gov + put forward alternative policies
25
On which issues can the Northern Ireland Assembly make decisions?
- education
- agriculture
- environment
- health & social services
## Footnote
x defence
26
How many devolved administrations are there in the UK?
3
1. Welsh gov
2. Scottish Parliament
3. Northern Ireland Assembly
27
Who is responsible for interpreting the law and ensuring that trials are conducted fairly?
Judiciary (Judges)
28
How often do people who are 70 years old or over need to renew their driving licence?
every 3 years
29
Where are the Welsh government and the Senedd based?
Cardiff (capital of Wales)
30
Which of the following is not a member of the European Union?
a. Finland
b. Denmark
c. Sewden
d. Norway
Norway
31
How can you visit the UK Parliament (choose TWO options)?
1. write to local MP to ask for tickets
2. Queueing on the day at public entrance
32
Which of the following countries is NOT a member of the Commonwealth?
a. Uganda
b. Ghana
c. Malawi
d. Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe
33
How often is the electoral register updated?
every year
- in Sep/ Oct
| cos every year someone turns 18 etc.
34
What do you need to be able to drive a car in the UK?
1. driving licence
2. valid motor insurance
3. MOT certificate (for cars over three years old)
4. road tax
| MOT- meets road safety + environmental standards
35
How many members does the Scottish Parliament have?
129
36
What is the main function of the Council of Europe?
protect + promote **human rights**
## Footnote
in its 47 mem countries
37
How many members comprise the UN Security Council?
15
## Footnote
recommend action when there are international crises + threats to peace
38
Members in the Senedd can speak English and Welsh, but all publications of the Senedd must be in English:
F
## Footnote
✔ both languages
39
How many members does the Northern Ireland Aseembly have?
90
## Footnote
MLAs (Members of the Legislative Aseembly)- elected by proportional representation
40
How can you visit the Scottish Parliament?
arrange tour thru visitor services
## Footnote
/ write to the parliament/ call/ email
40
Which of the following civil laws include disputes between landlords and tenants over issues such as repairs and eviction?
| eviction = expulsion
housing law
41
How often are the elections for the European Parliament held?
every 5 years
42
Which senior MP is responsible for issues relating to crime, policing and immigration?
Home Secretary
43
Which of the following is NOT classified as a criminal offence in the UK?
a. Smoking in public places
b. Selling or buying drugs
c. Carrying a weapon
d. Unfair dismissal or discrimination in the workplace
d. unfair dismissal/ discrimmination in the workplace- **civil** offence
| **civil offence- individual; criminal- affects whole society**
44
Which court usually deals with the MOST serious civil cases in Scotland?
The Court of Session in Edinburgh
## Footnote
vs High Court in England, Wles, N Ireland
45
Is forcing a person t omarry a civil or criminal offence?
criminal
46
Which court deals with serious criminal offences in England, Wales and N Ireland?
Crown Court
47
When were Protection Orders to protect a person from being forced into a marriage, or to protect a person in a forced marriage introduced for Scotland?
2011
## Footnote
vs **2008** for England, Wles, N Ireland
48
Since when have hereditary peers lost the automatic right to attend the House of Lords?
1999
49
How many countries are members of the United Nations?
- > 190 countries
| **biggest** option
50
What is the system by which the income tax is automatically taken from the employee’s income by their employer and paid directly to HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC)?
'Pay As You Earn' (PAYE)
51
How many local authorities are there in London?
33
## Footnote
coordinated by Greater London Authority + Mayor of London
52
Who is the head of the state in the UK?
King Charles III
| x PM!!
53
The action of handing out leaflets in the street or knocking on people’s doors to ask for their political support is known as:
Canvassing
54
Charity that works with **old** people
**Age** UK
55
How many members does the Council of Europe have?
47
| 2nd biggest no.
56
In the UK, MPs are elected on the basis of:
First past the post system (most votes)
57
When did the King start reining?
2022
## Footnote
8 Sept 2022
58
How do we call a set of principles by which a country is governed and which includes all of the institutions that are responsible for running the country and how their power is kept in check?
constitution
59
How often are electrions held for the Senedd?
every 4 years
## Footnote
**60** Senedd members (SMs), elections by proportional representation
60
What is the name given to the person appointed by local authorities to be the **ceremonial leader** of a particular council?
Mayor
61
Who is the ceremonial head of the Commonwealth?
British King
62
Who is the chief officer of the House of Commons?
the Speaker
63
If an MP dies or resigns, there will be a fresh election, which is known as:
by-election
(in their consituency)
## Footnote
an MP's constituents = ppl living in their constituency (geographical area represented by the MP in House of Commons)
64
A person who has not paid enough National Insurance contributions will not be able to receive certain contributory benefits including (choose TWO options):
1. **Jobseeker's Allowance**
2. full state retirement pension
| ✔ housing benefit!
65
How are life peers appointed?
by the **monarch** on the advice of the PM
| nominated by PM
## Footnote
nominated for lifetime, title x passed onto children
66
# T/F
The UN was set up after WWI and aims to prevent war and promote international peace and security:
F, set up after WWII
67
How many memebrs does a jury have in Scotland?
15
| > everywhere else = 12
68
How many memebrs does a jury have in England, Wales and N Ireland?
12
69
TWO ways to visit the Northern Ireland Assembly:
1. contacting the **Education Service**
2. contacting an MLA
70
When was the National Trust founded?
1895
## Footnote
by 3 volunteers
71
When did the 'Habeas Corpus' Act become law?
1679
72
When was the Treaty of Rome signed?
25th March 1957
| all options were 1957, 25/3 looked right
73
How often are general elections held in the UK?
every 5 years
74
How is the **S**peaker elected?
by other MPs in a **s**ecret ballot
75
When was the Northern Ireland Parliament established for the first time?
19**22**
76
What name is given to the system used to deal with children and young people who have committed an offence in Scotland?
Children's Hearings System
77
Which charity works for the prevention of cruelty to children?
NSPCC
National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children
78
# T/F
In Wales, the jury has to listen to the evidence presented at the trial and then decide a verdict of ‘guilty’, ‘not guilty’ or ‘not proven’ based of what they have heard:
F
## Footnote
x 'not proven', only in Scotland (cos they're the odd one out)
79
# T/F
It is a civil offence to cause harassment, alarm or distress to someone because of their religion or ethnic origin:
F- **criminal** offence
80
What is the Old Bailey?
Famous criminal court
## Footnote
most famous in the world
81
What is the relationship between the monarch and the government?
**Advise, warn, encourage** the government's decisions
| x 'approve'
## Footnote
regular meetings w/ PM; decisions on gov policies made by PM + cabinet
82
How often are elections held for the Welsh gov?
every 4 years
83
Where can people facing domestic violence get help from (TWO options)
1. **Citizens Advise Bureau**
2. solicitor
| x human rights commission
84
# T/F
At the Youth Court, the parents or carers of the young person being judged are expected to attend the hearing:
T
85
Who is responsible for the creation of the European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms?
the Council of Europe
## Footnote
x power to make laws, draws up conventions + charter
86
What does 'PDSA' stand for?
People's **Dispensary** for Sick Animals
## Footnote
dispensary = place where medicines are provided
87
How long does it take to donate blood?
about an hour
88
What does 'MEPs' stand for?
**Members** of the European Parliament
89
In which of the following matters can the Scottish Parliament legislate (choose FIVE options)?
A. Additional tax-raising powers
B. Economic development
C. Health
D. Education
E. Civil and criminal law
F. Immigration
G. Planning
A, C, D, E, G
90
Magistrates and Justices of the Peace (JPs) are members of:
local community
91
Which TWO charities work with homeless people?
1. Shelter
2. Crisis
92
What is the Commonwealth?
An **association of countries** that **support** each other + work tgt towards shared goals in **democracy + development**
93
When was the voting age reduced to 18 for men and women?
1969
| latest option
94
When was the Northern Ireland Parliament established for the first time?
1922
| earliest option- for once
95
What is the opposition?
second largest party in the House of Commons
96
Groups that form the British government:
1. monarchy
2. Parliament (Commons + Lords)
3. PM
4. cabinet
5. judiciary (courts)
6. **police**
7. civil service
8. local gov
97
Many MPs, SMs and MSPs hold regular local events where constituents can go in person to talk about issues that are of concern to them. These are known as:
local 'surgeries'
98
Which Act introduced the Forced Marriage Protection Orders for England, Wales and Northern Ireland in 2008?
the Forced Marriage (Civil Protection) Act 2007
## Footnote
~protection orders in Scotland in Nov 2011
99
When is the electoral register updated?
Sep/ Oct
| school year
100
Ceremonial role undertaken by the King
opening the new parliamentary session every year
## Footnote
makes a speech, summarising gov policies for the year ahead
101
How long can you use your driving licence in the UK if you have a licence from another country?
up to 12 months
102
Which court deals with the most serious civil cases in England, Wales and N Ireland?
High Court
103
# T/F
UK is one of the five permanent members of the Security Council:
T
## Footnote
other permanent mems: China, France, Russian Federation, UK, US
10 non-perm mems
104
What changes did the Chartists campaign for?
1. every man to have the vote
2. **elections every year**
3. all regions to be equal in electoral system
4. secret ballots
5. any man to stand as MP
6. **MPs to be paid**
## Footnote
**right to vote** for the **working classes** + ppl w/o property
105
When was the Scottish Parliament formed?
1999
106
# T/F
Citizens of Liechtenstein can drive in the UK for as long as their driving license is valid:
T
## Footnote
for licences from:
- country in EU
- Iceland
- Liechtenstein
- Norway
107
What are arranged marriages?
**both parties agree** to the marriage
108
Which of the following is NOT a role of the King:
A. To *inaugurate* important business in the UK
B. To receive foreign ambassadors and high commissioners
C. To entertain visiting heads of state
D. To make state visits overseas
| *introduce*
A
## Footnote
the King makes state visits overseas in support of diplomatic relationships w/ other countries
109
Who has control over policy and laws governing defence, foreign affairs, immigration, taxation and social security in Northern Ireland?
central UK gov
## Footnote
other public services eg. education - controlled by devolved administrations
110
How can you visit the Senedd?
| Cardiff, Wales
contacting the Senedd Booking Service
111
Matters the Scottish Parliament can legislate:
- civil + criminal law
- health
- education
- planning
- additional tax-raising powers
## Footnote
x immigration
112
The clock tower is named 'Elizabeth Tower' in honour of:
Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee in 2012
113
When are local elections for councillors held in most local authorities?
May
114
Which of the following countries is NOT a member of the Commonwealth?
A. Ghana
B. Cyprus
C. Greece
D. Sierra Leone
C. Greece
115
When did the UK sign the European Convention of Human Rights?
1950
## Footnote
one of the first to sign
116
List the devolved administrations:
- the Senedd
- Scottish Parliament
- Northern Ireland Assembly
117
What was the name of the European Union when it was first established?
European **Economic** Community (EEC)
## Footnote
set up by 6 western Europe countries (Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxemburg, Netherlands)- signed Treaty of Rome, 25/3/1957
118
Which Act incoropated the European Convention of Human Rights into UK law?
**Human Rights** Act 1998
119
Are arranged marriages acceptable in the UK?
yes
## Footnote
both parties agree
120
Which of the follwing countries belongs to the Commonwealth?
A. Morocco
B. Algeria
C. Mozambique
D. Mali
C. Mozambique
121
Where is the centrepiece to the Remembrance Day service known as Cenotaph located?
Whitehall, London
122
What did the 'Bill of Rights' confirm in 1689?
rights of the Parliament + limits of the king's power
## Footnote
parliament- who could be monarch + king/ queen must be Protestant
123
Has the UK government used the power to suspend the Northern Ireland Assembly?
yes, on a few occasion
124
When was the Brexit referndum held?
23 June 2016
125
Who is responsible for subjects such as education, health and defence?
Secretary of State
126
What is the judiciary responsible for?
interpreting the law
| x decide whether a person is guilty
## Footnote
+ ensuring trials are conducted fairly
127
What was the purpose of the Corn Laws in 1846?
to prevent the import of cheap grain
128
Who is able to change the Prime Minister during his/her term?
Governing party
| x monarch
129
What does the 'R' plate stand for?
Restricted driver
130
How many Houses did the Scottish Parliament have in the middle ages?
3
131
What organisations try to influence government policy?
pressure + lobby groups
132
How often do you have to take the MOT test for an old vehicle?
## Footnote
Ministry Of Transport
every year
## Footnote
- for vehicles > 3 y.o.
- offence to not have MOT cert if vehicle >3 y.o.
133
Who led the Labour Government from 2007 to 2010?
Gordon Brown
134
How often are 'Prime Minister's Questions' held in the Parliament?
every week
| 30 mins every Weds
135
When were men and women given the right to vote at the age of 21?
19**28**
| E P gave women the right
136
# T/F
Anyone can make a complaint about the police by writing to the Chief Constable of the police force involved.
T
137
What determines how much solicitors charge their client?
how much time they spend on a case
138
By law, which TWO types of media have to give a balanced coverage of all political parties and equal time to rival viewpoints before an election?
1. television
2. radio
| x newspaper
139
# T/F
Several Church of England bishops sit in the House of Lords
T
140
Where are the Crown Jewels kept?
Tower of London
141
Key roles of school governors (3)
1. set strategic direction of the school
2. ensure accountability
3. monitor + evaluate school performance
142
Minimum age to stand as MP?
18
143
How can complaints aginst the police be made?
1. going to a police station + **writing to the Chief Constable** of the police force involved
2. made to an **independent body**- the **I**ndependent **P**olice **C**omplaints **C**ommission (England + Wales) / the **P**olice **C**omplaints **C**ommissioner (Scotland) / Police *Ombudsman* (N Ireland)
144
Which UK nation(s) use a system called 'individual registration' where all those entitled to vote must complete their own registration form?
N Ireland
145
Which two documents do you need to apply for a National Insurance number?
1. docs that prove that you have permission to work in the UK
2. docs that prove your identity
146
# T/F
Female genital mutilation
(FGM) or taking a girl or woman abroad for FGM is illegal in the UK and it is a criminal offence.
T
147
What did 'the Butler Act' introduce in 1944?
free **secondary** education in **England + Wales**
## Footnote
- Richard Austen Butler, Conservative MP, responsible for education in 1941
- **Education Act 1944** (Butler Act)
148
What is a small claims procedure?
an informal way of helping ppl to settle minor disputes w/o speding a lot of time + money using a lawyer
149
What did the Habeas Corpus Act introduce?
that every prisoner has a right to a court hearing
## Footnote
- 1679
- 'H C' = Latin for 'you must present the person in court'
- no one can be held prisoner unlawfully
150
How are civil servants appointed and what political party do they belong to?
chosen on merit + politically neutral
151
In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, Youth Court cases are normally heard by:
(TWO answers)
1. up to **3** specially trained magistrates
2. district judge
## Footnote
accused person aged 10-17
152
What is the minimum age required to drive a motorcycle?
17 yrs old
153
Which of the following is not a constitutional institution?
A. Parliament
B. cabinet
C. armed forces
D. police
C. armed forces
## Footnote
constitutional institutions: monarchy, parliament, PM, cabinet, judiciary, police, civil service, local gov
154
What are the responsibilities of MPs? (4)
- represent everyone in their constituency
- help create new laws
- scrutinise + comment on what gov is doing
- debate important national issues
| scrutinise = examine thoroughly
155
What are TWO responsibilities of the monarch?
1. advise, warn, encourage PM's decisions on gov policies
2. appoint gov
## Footnote
gov policies ultimately made by PM + cabinet
