Law Making AO3

Question 1

Give 4 advantages of the legislative process

Answer 1

1. Democratic (Government controls timetables for debates)
2. Consultation periods (Committee Stage)
3. Effective checking mechanism (House of Lords)
4. Emergency Legislation (Corona Virus Act 2020)

Question 2

Give 4 disadvantages of the legislative process

Answer 2

1. Undemocratic (House of Lords is unelected)
2. Time consuming (The Consumer Rights Act took 14 months)
3. The government control P’s Timetable (Private Members Bills have very little time)
4. Difficult to remove/ amend outdated and badly drawn Acts (Dangerous Dogs Act 1991)

Question 3

Give 4 advantages of Delegated Legislation

Answer 3

1. Time Saving (Parliament does not sit all year)
2. Policy over detail (P can set out main principles, and leave experts to do the rest, RTA)
3. Flexibility (can be easily amended without going to P, such as annual change to minimum wage)
4. Ministers will benefit from consultation (PACE Act 1984)

Question 4

Give 4 disadvantages of Delegated Legislation

Answer 4

1. Undemocratic (Allows non-elected people to make the law)
2. Complex (COVID 19 Pandemic)
3. Lack of Scrutiny (P lack the time to thoroughly check legislation)
4. Parliamentary Controls are ineffective (negative resolution procedure)

Question 5

Give 4 advantages of Political and Media influences

Answer 5

1. Party Manifesto- electorate knows what they will do in the future
2. Majority Seats- in HoC, there may be majority seats of government, meaning their policies will all be passed
3. Media can raise awareness- government forced to make change to policy
4. Public use media as way of making their voices heard- Dunblane Massacre

Question 6

Give 4 disadvantages of Political and Media influence

Answer 6

1. Government may have majority of seats, meaning their policies will be forced, ignoring criticism
2. If a crisis occurs, government will focus on that rather than their manifesto promises
3. Newspapers are a commercial business so could sensationalise an issue, which manipulates public opinion
4. No regulation of views on social media, any views expressed may be inaccurate

Question 7

Give 4 advantages of pressure groups and lobbying

Answer 7

1. Pressure Groups have experts, which can help to effectively argue their case
2. Pressure Groups often bring important areas to the attention of government e.g. environmental causes
3. If successful, lobbying could cause action by government to be made e.g. new laws or inquiries
4. Pressure Groups may be successful as they have greater knowledge, expertise and influence

Question 8

Give 4 Disadvantages of pressure groups and lobbying

Answer 8

1. Pressure Groups cause inconvenience to the public e.g. when trade unions strike involving a public service
2. Pressure Groups have conflict e.g. League Against Cruel Sports had a ban against fox hunting, opposed by Countryside Alliance
3. Government Ministers may have many requests made of them by Lobbying, making important matters trivial
4. Lobbying by pressure groups may be unsuccessful or have a delayed response

Question 9

Give 4 advantages of the Law Commission

Answer 9

1. Legally Qualified Commissioners (draft bills accompany their reports, so no need for delay by P)
2. Politically Independent (reports to P, not the government. Has aim of improving the law)
3. If P accepts a recommendation to codify the law, makes it easier for lawyers and public to understand