House of Lords

Question 1

What is the House of Lords?

Answer 1

Unelected chamber which is responsible for reviewing and scrutinizing legislation.

Question 2

What is the Legislature comprised of?

Answer 2

• House of Commons
• House of Lords
• Queen

Question 3

How are members of the House of Lords appointed?

Answer 3

By the Queen on the advice of the PM

Question 4

What are non-party-political members?

Answer 4

Members of House of Lords not affiliated with any political group.

Question 5

Which body is responsible for appointing non-party-political members to HoL?

Answer 5

House of Lords Appointments Commission.

Question 6

Other responsibilities which House of Lords Appointments Commission have?

Answer 6

• Recommends individuals for appointment as non-party-political life peers.
• Vets nominations for life peers

Question 7

What is a life peer?

Answer 7

Peers whose titles cannot be inherited

Question 8

What is a bicameral legislature?

Answer 8

Legislatures with two chambers.

Question 9

Advantages of HoL being unelected?

Answer 9

• Less accountability

- Greater independence to scrutinize government legislation.

Question 10

Main legislation that relates to HoL?

Answer 10

• Parliament Act 1911
• Parliament Act 1949
• House of Lords Act 1999
• Constitutional Reform Act 2005

Question 11

Parliament Act 1911

Answer 11

Removed power to veto bill from HoL

Question 12

Parliament Act 1949

Answer 12

• Reduced Lords powers of delay to 1 year.

- Consent not required for money bills.

Question 13

Constitutional Reform Act 2005

Answer 13

• Increased separation of powers, Lord Chancellor no longer speaker for HoL.

Question 14

Role of the speaker within HoL?

Answer 14

• Ensures security of House
• Acts as ambassador for house
• Offers procedural advice
• Chairs committee of whole house

Question 15

Money Bill

Answer 15

Bills designed to raise capital through taxes

Question 16

Public Bill

Answer 16

Proposals for primary legislation that applies to general public

Question 17

Private members bill

Answer 17

Non-Govt sponsored bills introduced by non-ministerial MPs

Question 18

Private Bills

Answer 18

Bills which only impact particular people

Question 19

House of Lords Act 1999

Answer 19

Ended voting rights for hereditary peers. Reduced their numbers down to 92.

Question 20

Key Cases;

Answer 20

Jackson v Attorney General

Question 21

Responsibilities of HoL?

Answer 21

Debating matters of public interest
Reviewing Govt legislation
Scrutinizes executive
Used to be Supreme Court of Appeal

Question 22

Salisbury Convention

Answer 22

States that the Lords will not vote down a Bill that seeks to enact a manifesto pledge on which a government was elected. Means the lords will submit to the will of the Govt of the day, rather than attempt to vote them down at second or third reading.

Question 23

Jackson v Attorney General

Answer 23

Govt introduced Hunting Act which was opposed by HoL. They used Parliament Act 1949 to prevent opposition from HoL. Claimant asserted that Hunting Act 2004 was invalid, as Parliament Act 1949 was unlawful. It was held that Parliament acts should be considered enacted law and therefore the Hunting Act 2004 is valid.