GOVP2 - Examples

Question 1

Example of a modern convention

Answer 1

If a devolution bill is passed in Westminster, it must be passed in the respective local Parliament as well (for example the Wales Act of 2017

Question 2

Example of government loss on a vote

Answer 2

2013 Syrian Civil War air strikes 285-272

Question 3

Example of recent passage of a Private Members bill

Answer 3

Freezing spending on the EU put forward by Labour and passed in October 2012

Question 4

Which were the 2 pieces of legislation on House of Lords blocking?

Answer 4

1911 and 1949 Parliament Acts

Question 5

Example of a Private Bill

Answer 5

Allhallows Staining Church Act of 2010 sponsored by The Livery Company wanting to build on church land

Question 6

Example of famous 20th century Private Members Bill

Answer 6

David Steele’s Abortion Act of 1967

Question 7

Example of failed Private Members Bill

Answer 7

Turing Bill of 2016 of SNP MP John Nicolson, talked out by Tories as they wanted to put forward their own law

Question 8

Example of stupidity of 10 minute rule

Answer 8

In 2014 3 MPs took up sleeping rotas outside the Public Bills Office so to be first in queue

Question 9

Example of successful hybrid bill

Answer 9

Channel Tunnel Act of 1987

Question 10

Example of a hybrid bill being forced through

Answer 10

High Speed Rail Act of 2017 even though 820 petition against in 2016-17 session

Question 11

Example of power of PAC

Answer 11

National Programme for IT in the NHS in 2009 - a report took a stand against the lack of efficiency and a £10bn project was scrapped

Question 12

Example of future looking Select Committee report

Answer 12

Brexit impact on higher education (2016) in Education Committee

Question 13

What was the length of the Chilcot Inquiry and why were the members of it not the best?

Answer 13

6 years, and none of the 6 members had any experience in defense as Lords

Question 14

Example of weakness of a Committee report to be effectual

Answer 14

Joint Committee on the Palace of Westminster - a report released by them saying 30 years if no MP evacuation, but then just another inquiry was set up to find more information

Question 15

Example of ignored committee

Answer 15

Women and Equalities Committee report published tackling pay gap - government response was ‘inadequate’ but no ensuing issues

Question 16

Example of successful Select Committee

Answer 16

Work and Pensions Select Committee report reviewed disability cuts to be unnecessary - dropped in 2016 Spring Budget

Question 17

Example of law lords power

Answer 17

90 day detention dropped to 42 as they said it was breaking habeas corpus too much

Question 18

Example of non-government SC power

Answer 18

2017 Wheelchair versus Buggy case - 2010 Equality Act, wheelchair users must be aided by bus drivers

Question 19

Example of SC power over government

Answer 19

2017 Parliamentary vote on triggering Article 50

Question 20

Example of weak committee decision due to divides

Answer 20

2017 March Brexit Select Committee gave a majority report supporting a longer transition deal, while Brexiteers such as Rees-Mogg wrote a minority one against the propositon

Question 21

Example of Lord airing problems

Answer 21

2018 March Lord Naseby speaking on problems about British passports to be created abroad

Question 22

Example of Lords voting against government

Answer 22

10 defeats on Brexit up to May 2018

Question 23

Example of power of Parliament

Answer 23

11 MPs rebel alongside Labour to force a meaningful vote on Brexit bill, with 309-305, led by Dominic Grieve, could happen again

Question 24

What is ultra vires and example?

Answer 24

Groups dong something in need of legal authority but without it, Hazell v Hammersmith and Fulham LBC which banned interest swap agreements (in Labour council)

Question 25

What is mandamus and certiorari?

Answer 25

First is SC sending order to lower court of government officer to do job correctly, second is SC telling lower court to send it’s case this way

Question 26

Who put together the 3 grounds for judicial review and what are they?

Answer 26

Lord Diplock in 1985, illegality, irrationality and procedural inquiry

Question 27

Example of illegality

Answer 27

Bromley Council v Great London Council 1983 - Labour council plan to use rates of all payers even in Tory councils to subsidise transport fares was ultra vires

Question 28

Example of irrationality

Answer 28

R v Derby County Council 1990, plan by council to take child away from parents for adoption was wrong in all sense so was quashed as a decision

Question 29

Example of procedural impropriety

Answer 29

Aylesbury Mushroom Case 1972 when law requiring consultation with group before changes to regulations on agricultural worker training was not followed through by government so quashed

Question 30

What is natural justice?

Answer 30

Idea of no bias in the decision making of an authority and therefore right to a fair hearing

Question 31

2 examples of civil servants ruined

Answer 31

Derek Lewis after IRA prisoners escaped in 1995, and Brodie Clark in 2011 with UK border agency checks reduced without May’s knowledge - sacked