Chapter 7- Legislation (Functions of Parliament)

Question 1

First Reading

Answer 1

Formal presentation of Bill to House

Question 2

Second Reading

Answer 2

Main debate on principle of the Bill. Gov minister explains & justifies the Bill, and shadow minister too. Unusual to have defeat at this stage… Last was the Sunday Trading Bill in 1986

Question 3

Committee Stage

Answer 3

Bills sent to a public bill committee- new one for each bill, 16-50 members. Finance Bills and bills of constitutional significance are scrutinised in a committee of the Whole House.

Question 4

Report Stage

Answer 4

Amendments considered by whole house

Question 5

Third Reading

Answer 5

Debate on amended Bill on the floor of the house- no more amendments allowed

Question 6

House of Lords stages

Answer 6

Same procedure- can send the bill back and forth between the two houses.

Question 7

Private Members Bills

Answer 7

20 names of MPs picked to put forward their idea- Abortion Act 1967 an example of a successful bill

Question 8

Legislation process

Answer 8

Green Paper➡️White Paper➡️First Reading➡️Second Reading➡️Committee Stage➡️Report Stage➡️Third reading (REPEAT FOR LORDS)➡️Consideration of Amendments➡️Royal Assent

Question 9

Second Legislation

Answer 9

Laws made by ministers granted authority by an Act of Parliament rather than by parliament

Question 10

Effectiveness of Legislatures: different types of legislature

Answer 10

Policy making
Policy influencing
Legislature with little/no policy influence

Question 11

U.K. Considered a Policy Influencing Legislature meaning

Answer 11

They can modify/reject legislative proposals made by executive but are unable to develop extensive legislative proposals of their own

Question 12

Parliament’s effectiveness in making/scrutinising law is limited by dominance of the executive. Seen by

Answer 12

Government bills- most chance of success
Parliamentary timetable gives most time to gov
Party discipline- whip system
HoL doesn’t alter key features of most bills