DEVOLUTION & PARLIAMENTARY PRIVILEGE

Question 1

What was the effects of the Act of Union 1707?

Answer 1

• abolish the separate Parliaments of England and Wales and Scotland

Question 2

What does ‘exclusive cognisance’ mean?

Answer 2

• parliamentary privilege includes the principle of exclusive cognisance which means that Parliament controls its own processes and procedures including the requirements for MPs to enter Parliament
• this includes being able to pass legislations involving these processes and procedures
• eg the Parliamentary Standards Act 2009 contained provisions relating to expenses and was approved by Parliament