MOCKS: Evaluate the view that although the HOL has less power than the HOC, in practice it exerts more influence on government decisions.

Question 1

What are the 3 factors which agree the HOC exerts more influence?

Answer 1

Scrutiny powers.
1911 and 1949 Parliament Acts
Committees

Question 2

What are the 3 factors which disagree the HOC exerts more influence?

Answer 2

Party discipline
Legislation
In-depth scrutiny

Question 3

What chances is the HOC provided with to influence government unlike the HOL?

Answer 3

Ministerial Questions and PMQs.

Question 4

What do PMQs do? Provide 2 examples.

Answer 4

Challenge the PM.

E.g., 2007, Tony Blair challenged over his Armed Forces participation.

Boris Johnson challenged over his curtain affairs (spent £58k on refurbishing his property).

Question 5

Provide an example of where the HOC beat the HOL in debates over a bill.

Answer 5

2005 Prevention of Terrorism Bill.
Debated 5 times by Lords, 4 times by Commons.

HOL forced to back down due to their restrictions- shows HOC influence over.

Parliamentary ping pong… HOC wins!

Question 6

Which house has less party discipline? What does this mean?

Answer 6

HOL.
Means it is more independent.

Question 7

Why does the HOL have more freedom to debate?

Answer 7

Has a large number of crossbenchers, can express their own views.

No party whip unlike HOC.

Question 8

Provide an example where the HOL defeated a government bill.

Answer 8

2014
Defeated the govt 14 times over the EU Withdrawal Bill.

Question 9

How successful was the HOL in 2010-12?

Answer 9

Very.
Defeated the coalition govt 48 times.

HOC didn’t defeat the executive in any proposed legislation.

Question 10

When and what did the Parliament Acts do?

Answer 10

1911 and 1949
Made the HOL less powerful than HOC.

Prevented HOL rejecting legislation- can only delay for a year.

Question 11

Provide an example where the HOL delayed a bill.
How were the Parliament Acts significant here?

Answer 11

2004 Fox Hunting Act.

Speaker invoked the Parliament Acts, allowing the HOC to overrule the HOL where agreement can’t be reached.
Act was passed.

Question 12

When do HOL amendments become ineffective? Provide an example.

Answer 12

When they are rejected 3 times by the HOC.

2012 Welfare Reform Act.
HOL returned 7 amendments, all defeated.

Question 13

Has the government lost any legislation in the HOL? Examples?

Answer 13

Yes.
Several controversial legislations have been effectively dealt with.

E.g., NHS and welfare reform.

Question 14

What did the HOL defeat the government over in 2013?

Answer 14

Plans to cut legal aid.

Question 15

HOL can force the government to amend bills. When has the HOL been most active?

Answer 15

Challenging Brexit legislation- defeated govt 14 times which is a modern-day record for 1 piece.

Question 16

What can HOC select committees do?

Answer 16

Check and report on areas ranging from govt departments to economic affairs.

Question 17

What’s happen to HOC select committees since 2010? Provide examples.

Answer 17

They have grown in influence.
Have become more effective in scrutinising govt departments.

E.g., Health Committee aided change to the coalition govt’s Health and Social Care Bill.

Public Accounts Committee, Margaret Hodge called Starbucks to account over tax pay.

Question 18

Do HOC select committees gain media attention?

Answer 18

Yes, a good amount.
Allows communication of work.

Question 19

In terms of scrutiny, what do Lords do compared to MPs? Example?

Answer 19

Lords spend more time scrutinising legislation.

2010-15, Lords voted against reforms to the NHS, AV, and caps on welfare payments etc.

E.g., voted against 2022 Elections Bill twice.