Legislative process

Question 1

Green and White Papers

Answer 1

Green- if government is unsure about details of a law, issues a Green paper
White- if government has firm views on a topic, straight to White paper

Question 2

Different types of Bill

Answer 2

Public
Private
Hybrid
Private Members

Question 3

Public Bill

Answer 3

introduced by government as part of it’s programme of legislation
affects public
e.g. Equality Act 2010

Question 4

Private Bill

Answer 4

introduced for benefit of particular group
very rare
e.g. Hertfordshire County Council Act 2014

Question 5

Hybrid Bill

Answer 5

cross between Public and Private Bill
introduced by government but affects particular person
e.g. High Speed Rail Act 2017

Question 6

Private Members Bill

Answer 6

non government bill introduce by individual MPs
often deal with narrow issues
e.g. Abortion Act 1967

Question 7

Progress Check

Answer 7

First Reading
Second Reading
Committee Stage
Report Stage
Third Reading
Opposite House
Royal Assent

Question 8

First Reading

Answer 8

formal procedure where the name and aims of the Bill is read out.
no discussion therefore no vote

Question 9

Second Reading

Answer 9

main debate
focuses on main principles
Speaker controls all debates
at the end there’s a vote
must have majority for the Bill to progress

Question 10

Committee Stage

Answer 10

thoroughly examine every clause
16-50 MPs form a Standing Committee, chosen specifically for that Bill
Finance Bills- the whole house sits in the Committee

Question 11

Report Stage

Answer 11

reports back to the House on additions or changes accepted
no amendments, no Report Stage
amendments are debated, further amendments can be added

Question 12

Third Reading

Answer 12

final vote on the Bill
Bill then passed to the House of Lords for further debate and consideration
if passed, put forward for Royal Assent

Question 13

Opposite House

Answer 13

Goes through same process in the House of Lords

Question 14

Royal Assent

Answer 14

Crown signs the papers