Law Making (Parliament)

Question 1

Describe the structure of House of Lords?

Answer 1

• About 760 members. Not fixed.
• Appointed for life (Life Peers).
• Mixture of party members – Government and Opposition are mirrored in the Lords, ‘crossbenchers’

Question 2

Describe the structure of House of Parliament?

Answer 2

• 650 elected members.
• Sovereign power.
• Members represent parties and the Prime Minister and cabinet are usually members.

Question 3

What influences are there on Parliament?

Answer 3

• Political Influence.
• Public opinion/media.
• Pressure groups and lobbyists.

Question 4

What is political influence on Parliament?

Answer 4

• General elections usually held every 5 years.

* Party with most seats in House of Commons form the government.

Question 5

How is public opinion/media a influence on Parliament?

Answer 5

•Government will sometimes make changes to law if strong public opinion. E.g. abortion act 1967.

Question 6

How do pressure groups and lobbyists influence Parliament?

Answer 6

Some individuals or groups attempt to persuade MP’s to support or promote a particular cause. This is called ‘lobbying’ and usually takes place in the lobbies of Westminster.

Question 7

What is Green Paper?

Answer 7

When a new law is proposed. The document outlines government’s proposals, inviting groups to send in comments.

Question 8

What is white paper?

Answer 8

Once all comments are considered, the department publish white paper. This sets out governments firm proposals.

Question 9

What are the types of bills?

Answer 9

• Acts of Parliament or statutes.
• Private members’ bill.
• Private bills.
• Hybrid bills.

Question 10

What is act of Parliament?

Answer 10

Official government proposal for a new law. Drawn up by lawyers known as draftsmen.

Question 11

What is private members Bill?

Answer 11

•Can be introduced by an MP or Lord from any party as long as they aren’t government ministers. Most don’t pass.

Question 12

What are private bills?

Answer 12

•Bills that only affect individual people or corporations, rather than the public at large.

Question 13

What is a hybrid bill?

Answer 13

•Cross between a Public and a Private Bill.
•Where a government initiative affects particular people, organisations or places.
E.g. Crossrail and HS2 Acts.

Question 14

What are the legislative stages of making law in house of common/lords?

Answer 14

1)First Reading. 2)Second reading. 3)Committee stage. 4)Report Stage. 5)Third reading. 6)House of Lords. 7)Role of crown.

Question 15

What is the first reading?

Answer 15

Formal procedure where the name and main aims of the Bill are read out. Usually no discussion or vote.

Question 16

What is the second reading?

Answer 16

• Main debate on whole Bill.

* At end of debate a vote is taken. There must be a majority in favour for the Bill for it to progress any further.

Question 17

What is committee stage?

Answer 17

• Detailed examination of bill - usually done by a standing committee.
• MP’s nominated to be in committee need special interest or knowledge in the area.

Question 18

What is report stage?

Answer 18

• Where the committee reports back any amendments.

* Amendments debated in the House.

Question 19

What is the third reading?

Answer 19

• Final vote on the bill.

* If reached this stage it’s unlikely to fail.

Question 20

What is the House of Lords stage?

Answer 20

•Go through the same process.

-Can make amendments, but House of common don’t need to consider them.

Question 21

What is the role of the Crown?

Answer 21

•Where the monarch formally approves of the bill and it becomes an Act of Parliament (law). Known as Royal assent.

Question 22

What are advantages of legislative process?

Answer 22

• Democratic.
• Full Reform.
• Broad policy.
• Consultation.

Question 23

What are disadvantages of legislative process?

Answer 23

• Lack of time.
• Long process.
• Government control.
• Complexity.