Legislation Flashcards
What is the main law making body in England?
Parliament
What does parliament do?
Creates statutes and delegated legislation
How many pieces of legislation are passed annually?
60 - 70
What does parliament consist of?
House of Commons and House of Lords
Briefly, what is the pre-legislative procedure?
It consists of the green and white paper
Who issues a green paper?
The minister with the responsibility for the matter
What type of document is a green paper?
A consultative document
What is within the green paper?
The governments view on the matter is put forward with proposals for change
Describe the green paper…
It’s a consultative document on a topic in which the governments view is put forward with proposals for change. Interested parties are invited to comment so that full consideration can be made and necessary changes implemented if needs be.
Why are consultations valuable?
It allows for more consideration and avoids a knee jerk reaction to incidents which sometimes result in unworkable legislation
What is an example of a knee jerk reaction?
The dangerous dogs act 1991
What act was created in 1991?
The dangerous dogs act
When was the dangerous dogs act created?
1991
What is the stage after the green paper?
The white paper
Who publishes the white paper?
The government
What is contained in the White paper?
Firm proposals for the new law
What is a bill?
When a proposed act is published and going through the parliamentary process
What are the three types of Bill?
Private members bills
Private bills
Public bills
Who introduces a private members bill?
An individual mp or members of the House of Lords rather than a government minister
When is debating time for private members bills?
Friday’s
What is the issue with problem with debating being limited to Friday’s?
Only the first six or seven MPs in the ballot have a realistic chance of introducing their chosen bill
What is the success rate of private members bills?
Very few become acts
What are some examples of private members bills?
The abortion act 1967
The marriage act 1994
When was the abortion act made?
1967
What act was made in 1967?
The abortion act
When was the marriage act created?
1994
What act was passed in 1994?
The marriage act
What is the ten minute rule?
It is when back benchers try to introduce a bill through this rule. Any mp can make a speech of up to ten minutes supporting the introduction of new legislation
How successful is the ten minute rule?
Very few acts are passed this way
What is an example of an act passed via the ten minute rule?
The bail (amendment) act 1993
What act was passed in 1993?
The bail (amendment) act 1993
When was the bail (amendment) act created?
1993
Who do private bills affect?
These affect one particular area or organisation
What is an example of a private members bill?
University college London act 1996
What act was passed in 1996?
The university college London act
When was the university college London act created?
1996
Who is affected by public bills?
The public as a whole as they usually change the law throughout the whole country
What category do most public bills fall into?
Public bills
What is an example of a public bill?
Disability discrimination act 1995
What act was passed in 1995?
The disability discrimination act
When was the disability discrimination act passed?
1995
Who introduces public bills?
The relevant government minister
Why are public bills generally successful?
They’re usually successful because the government will have a majority in party because MPs vote with their party not as individuals