Disadvantages of the Legislative Process

Question 1

What are the disadvantages of the legislative process?

Answer 1

• Parliament does not always have time to consider all the reforms that are proposed.
• The process is long.
• The government is in control of the parliamentary timetable and allows very little time for private members’ Bills.
• Acts of Parliament are often very complex.

Question 2

What is an example of Parliament not always having time to consider all the reforms that are proposed?

Answer 2

-The Law Commission proposed changes to the law on offences against the person in 1993.
- In 1997, the government accepted that there was a need for reform.
- In 1998, the governement published a draft Bill.
- This was never put before Parliament.
- The law remains unreformed.

Question 3

What is the disadvantage of the legislative process being long?

Answer 3

Can mean that the final Act is not as clear or comprehensive as it might have been.

Question 4

What is the disadvantage of the government being in control of the parliamentary timetable and allowing very little time for private members’ Bills?

Answer 4

Can mean that very few private members’ Bills become law and few moral issues are legislated upon.

Question 5

What is the disadvantage of the Acts of Parliament being often very complex?

Answer 5

• Can make them difficult to understand.
• It is not always possible to include a lot of detailed rules, even when they are needed.