House of Commons and Lords

Question 1

What is the House of Commons

Answer 1

The lower chamber, and the primary chamber, of the UK legislature. It is directly elected by votes. The House of Commons is also made up of 650 MPs

Question 2

What is a Backbencher

Answer 2

An MP or member of the House of Lords who does not hold a ministerial or shadow ministerial position

Question 3

What is a Frontbencher

Answer 3

An MP or member of the Lords who holds a ministerial or shadow ministerial position

Question 4

What is Representation and give three ways MPs carry it out

Answer 4

As an elected body, the Commons is expected to reflect public opinion to a considerable extent, it is also expected even with support for the majority Government that minority viewpoints should be allowed a hearing

Question 5

What is Scrutiny and give three ways MPs carry it out

Answer 5

Under the principle of accountability, ministers are responsible to parliament for their decisions

Question 6

What is Legislation and give three ways MPs carry it out

Answer 6

It is the process of creating laws

Question 7

What is the House of Lords

Answer 7

The upper chamber of the UK legislature. It is not directly elected by voters

Question 8

List the three main roles of the House of Lords

Answer 8

Questioning and Challenging
Shaping and Making Laws
Investigating Issues

Question 9

List the four main functions of the House of Lords

Answer 9

Scrutinise Executive
Debate
Legislative Scrutiny
Provide Ministers

Question 10

Explain and give an example of the scrutiny of the Executive

Answer 10

They question Ministers during Ministers questions in the Lords
Every Gov. department has a peer linked to them

Question 11

Explain and give an example of debate

Answer 11

Debates are much more open and informed due to the expertise of the peers and they are free to debate freely without the fear of party or constituents

Question 12

Explain and give an example of legislative scrutiny

Question 13

Explain and give an example of providing ministers

Answer 13

The Lords can act as a pool of talent for the Executive, meaning there is nothing stopping the PM recruiting there
e.g., David Cameron

Question 14

Explain and give an example of committees

Answer 14

There are no departmental committees, yet there are ad hoc and permanent committees. They look into non controversial but necessary legislation e.g., restriction of drones. These committees produce up to 50 inquiries

Question 15

Explain and give an example of questions

Answer 15

There are two main types of questions in the Lords, Questions for Short Debate - they are oral questions which are for 1hr at the start of the day which peers can ask Gov. ministers questions and Written Questions - the minister has 14 days to reply and these contain much more information and the replies are recorded in Hansard for greater transparancy

Question 16

State the four key powers

Answer 16

The Power to Delay for a Year
Greater Opportunity to Amend Bills
The Power to Initiate and Scrutinise Legislation
The Use of Effective Debate

Question 17

State and explain the power to delay for a year, and give an example

Answer 17

The Parliament Act 1949, allows the PM to force a bill through the Lords. Yet, the Lords have the ability to delay for a year - allows the Gov. to think over the bill & the threat of delay can produce key amendments
e.g., Sexual Offences Act 2000

Question 18

State and explain greater opportunity to amend bills, and give an example

Answer 18

The expertise and political independence of the peers provides more informed amendments - the Gov. may not agree with all its amendments but they will respect their decisions
e.g., 2001, Anti-Terrorism Act

Question 19

State and explain the power to initiate and scrutinise legislation, and give an example

Answer 19

The Lords play a crucial role in initiating and scrutinising legislation and ensuring its effectiveness
The Lords have a huge advantage with the expertise on hand
The Lords have more flexibility with time than the Commons
e.g., 2023, Ballot Secrecy Act

Question 20

State and explain the use of effective debate, and give an example

Answer 20

Due to the expertise, the fact that the Lords have less time limits and are not tied to parties and display neutrality
e.g., 2023, Illegal Migration Bill

Question 21

Explain two committees of the House of Lords

Answer 21

The European Union Committee - set up in 1974, scrutinises draft legislation for the EU
The Delegated Powers and Regulatory Reform Committee - set up to check that the powers given in delegated legislation are appropriate and within constitutional limits