Parliament Flashcards
How many Bishops are there in the House of Lords?
26
Identify 4 restrictions (conventions or legislation) on the House of Lords.
- The 1911 Parliament Act means that the House of Lords has no power of veto over government financial bills.
- The 1945 Salisbury Convention dictates that members will not block any legislation clearly defined in a government’s pre-election manifesto.
- Under the 1949 Parliament Act, the House of Lords can only delay the passage of a bill by a year.
- Each amendment proposed by the House of Lords must be approved by the House of Commons.
Name a cross bench peer.
Lord Jonathan Sacks, who previously held the post of Chief Rabbi and was enobled in 2001.
Hoe many hereditary peers are there in The House of Lords?
92
What percentage of the population is Christian according to the 2011 census?
59.3%.
When were women first introduced into the House of Lords?
1958- The Life Peerages Act. Before then it could only be hereditary males.
What is the average age of the House of Lords?
67
How many independent crossbenchers are there in the the House of Lords?
182
Sum up the 4 limited roles of the House of Lords.
1) To delay any legislation where peers feel it more desirable to reconsider and consult more widely.
Eg: Hunting with dogs legislation 2004-2005
2) to make helpful suggestions for amendments to bills in order to improve the quality of the legislation and protect minority interests.
Eg: The bishops amended the 2010 equality act to exempt some religious groups and allow them to discriminate for religious reasons.
3) Sometimes the Lords make hostile amendments or use their powers to delay a bill by a year in order to force the government to compromise because of the constant amendments.
Eg: The 2005 Terrorism Bill, which reduced the pre-charge detention period to 28 days as a compromise.
4)To have in depth debates about topical issues as the Lords have a vast body of knowledge and experience.
Eg: Euthanasia, embryo research.
