Origin and Passage of Legislation UK

Question 1

What is the Origin

Answer 1

Bills can be introduced by any MP or Lord eg MP Julie Morgan submitted bill on age restrictions for sunbeds.
However most bills come from the government manifesto so they have support.
Bills regarding finance can bypass the House of Lords.

Question 2

Introduction of a bill

Answer 2

1st reading is when the bill is introduced to all MPs, no debate yet.
At the 2nd reading all MPs get a chance to debate and vote on the bill - a bill can die at this stage.

Question 3

Committee stage

Answer 3

Committees of MPs or Peers scrutinise bills line by line, changes are proposed and voted on. Committees in the HofC usually consist of 20 MPs and the entire HofL often takes part.

Question 4

Passing a bill

Answer 4

Bill goes back and forth between the HofC and HofL until both agree on the Bill.
However, the 1949 Act of Parliament allows the HofC to bypass the lords under certain circumstances.

Question 5

Royal Assent

Answer 5

A bill becomes a law when it receives royal assent, the convention states that the monarch must sign bills. The Queen always signs bills on advice. eg the last time the monarch did not sign was the 18th century