Comparative Powers

Question 1

Powers of the HoC: Removing Government

Answer 1

Can remove gov through a vote of no confidence
A motion is put forward by MPs for a vote in the HoC on wether the house still has confidence in the government
If successful there will be a 14 day period for a new gov to win a confidence motion
If no new government forms and wins a confidence motion, a GE will take place
- A vote of no confidence removed the gov of PM James Callaghan in 1979

Question 2

Powers of the HoC: Legislation

Answer 2

HoC has law-making powers

It has the powerto reject legislation by voting against it and has final approval over any proposed amendments to bills by the HoL

Question 3

Powers of the HoC: select committees

Answer 3

They have powers to examine the government

They are able to call on members of the gov to answer questions form the committee on the work that the gov is doing

Question 4

Powers of the HoC: Government budget

Answer 4

They have power to apporove of gov financs and reject or amend the budget

Will debate Budget put forward by gov and then the finance bill will pass through the legislative process to become law

HoC has primary role in passing Finance Bills and exclusive power to amend them

HoL isnt able to amend or reject a finance Bill

Question 5

Power of the HoL: Legislation

Answer 5

Power to propose amendments and revisions to to bills for review

Will scrutinise legislation in detail through debates and select committees

Parliament Act 1949 gives power to delay a billy bu up to one year

HoL has the power to veto secondary legislation, rarely used

Question 6

Relative powers of the Houses: Similar powers

Answer 6

Both chambers can scrutinise and hold government to account

Both debate and vote on bills

Bill must go through readings in both chabers and pass to become law

Question 7

Relative Powers of the Houses: Greater powers in the Commons

Answer 7

Commons has final say on amendments to bills

Salisbury Convention means the Lords do not oppose bills in gov election manifesto

Commons can overrule legislation but Lords can only delay

Only Commons can bring down a gov through a vote of no confidence

Commons have more power over public finances, and has a public mandate and Lords is unelected