Functions of Parliament Flashcards
What are the most significant functions of parliament? (LSDRR)
Legislation Scrutiny Debate Recruitment of ministers Representation
What indicates that parliament’s main function is making law?
It is the legislative branch, or legislature, of a political system
What is a bill?
A draft legislative proposal that is debated in parliament
What does a bill become when it has completed the legislated process and enters law?
An Act of Parliament
What are the most significant bills?
Public bills
What is a public bill?
A bill concerning a general issue of public policy, introduced by a government minister.
How many public bills are generally introduced every session?
Between 25 and 35
Where is the government’s legislative programme set out?
In the Queen’s Speech at the beginning of a parliamentary session
What is a green paper?
A government document that sets out various options for legislation and invited comment
What is a white paper?
A government document that explains the objectives of government policy
Who are draft bills scrutinised by?
MPs, Select committees or joint committees
What are the main stages in the legislative process for a bill (except a money bill) introduced in the House of Commons?
First stage Second reading Committees stage Report stage Third reading House of Lords stages
First Stage
Formal presentation of the title of the bill on the floor of the house, no debate or vote yet.
Second Reading
Main debate on principle of bill, if bill is contested a vote is taken, government defeats at this stage are rare.
Committee Stage
Sent to public bill committee where each clause is scrutinised and amendments can be made.
Report Stage
Amendments made in committee considered by full House of Commons, can accept, reject or alter them, MPs not on the public bill committee now have the chance to make table amendments.
Third Reading
Debate on the amended bill on floor of the house, no further amendments allowed.
House of Lords stages
Bill sent to House of Lords, stages repeated, if amendments made Commons can agree, reject or amend them further, bill can go back and forth between two houses ‘parliamentary ping-pong’, if agreement can’t be reached then government has to decide whether to accept changed made by Lords, drop the bill or invoke the Parliament Act
When did parliamentary ping-pong occur?
Between 2010 and 2012, Commons overturned series of Lords’ amendments on legal aid and welfare
When was a bill defeated in the second reading stage?
1986 when the Sunday Trading Bill was defeated by 14 votes despite a government majority of 140
What is a private members’ bill?
A bill initiated by a backbench MP
What are the 3 routes a private members’ bill can take?
Ballot
Ten Minute Rule Bill
Presentation
What is Secondary legislation?
A law made by ministers who have been granted this authority by an Act of Parliament, rather than made by parliament.
What are Philip Norton’s 3 classes of legislatures?
Policy-making legislatures
Policy-influencing legislatures
Legislatures with little or no policy influences