Parlimentary Law Making Flashcards
private bills
law that affects only individuals or specific corporations
public bills
most common
effects whole country or large section of it
private members bills
introduced and sponsored by private mps. relatively few become law
government bills
often become law
introduced by government
legislative stages in HOL
first reading -> second reading -> committee stage -> report stage -> third reading ->passed to Hoc
legislative process in HOC
first reading -> second reading -> committee stage -> report stage -> third reading -> passed to Hol
first reading
name and main aims of bill r read out
no discussion
no vote
second reading
main debate about the principles rather than small details
mps wishing to speak must catch speakers eye (no one can speak without being called on)
vote at end of
committee stage
thoroughly examine every clause
16-50 mps form a standing committee specific to bill (specialised skills etc)
finance bills = whole house is committee
amendments proposed etc
report stage
If there are no amendments there’s no report stage
Third reading
Final vote on bill
Unlikely to fail at this stage
Passed onto HOL and then for royal ascent
The parliament acts 1911 & 1949
The power of House of Lords to reject a bill is limited by these acts. Allows for a bill to be passed even if it’s rejected by hol if it passes another round of hoc
Role of the crown
Now only a formality, under the royal assent act 1967 he/she will not have the text of the bill which they are assenting
Adv
Law is made by elected representatives
Green papers
Bills go through long thorough process
Parliament can act on reports
Clear separation between legislators and judiciary
Specialist departments for each law
In emergency law can be passed quickly
Disadvantages
Hol un-elected
Approval of crown = non democratic
Don’t have time to deal w all reformations proposed
Bill -> act process can be too long
Difficult to remove outdated legislation
MPs are not specialists in all areas
