Parliament

Question 1

What is Parliament made up of? (3)

Answer 1

• House of Commons
• House of Lords
• Monarch

Question 2

What does Parliament have the power to do? (2)

Answer 2

• Make laws

- Raise taxes

Question 3

What are some limits on what Parliament can do? (2)

Answer 3

• EU membership

- Human Rights Act 1998

Question 4

Describe the House of Commons (2)

Answer 4

• About 650 members

- Most powerful part of Parliament, it can force laws through even when the Lords disagree

Question 5

Describe the House of Lords (2)

Answer 5

• Made up of hereditary peers who inherit their titles

- There is an argument over who should sit in the House of Lords and whether or not they should be elected

Question 6

Describe the Monarch (2)

Answer 6

• Queen Elizabeth - Head of State

- A figurehead - her powers are limited by laws and customs of Britain

Question 7

What is the Queen the head of? (3)

Answer 7

• The armed forces
• The Church of England
• The Legal System

Question 8

What is an Act also know as? (3)

Answer 8

• Primary legislation
• Parent Act
• Statute

Question 9

What are the stages in making an Act of Parliament? (4)

Answer 9

1) Originates from a Manifesto - or from sources like the media, pressure groups and public opinion
2) Green Paper - a rough set of ideas written out on green paper
3) White Paper - once the green paper has been discussed and debated, the ideas are refined and written on white paper
4) Moving through the Houses of Parliament

Question 10

What is the process by which a Bill/proposed Act goes through the Houses of Parliament? (8)

Answer 10

1) Bill finished
2) First Reading
3) Second Reading
4) Committee Stage
5) Report Stage
6) Third Reading
7) The House of Lords
8) Royal Assent

Question 11

What happens in the First Reading?

Answer 11

the title of the Bill is read to the House of Commons

Question 12

What happens in the Second Reading?

Answer 12

proposals are fully debated and the MPs vote on whether to proceed

Question 13

What happens in the Committee Stage?

Answer 13

there is a detailed examination of the Bill - at this point amendments can be made

Question 14

What happens in the Report Stage?

Answer 14

the Committee reports back to the House and a vote is taken after experts in the subject of the Act are consulted

Question 15

What happens in the Third Reading?

Answer 15

the Bill is represented to the House and a vote is taken

Question 16

What happens when the Bill moves through the House of Lords? (3)

Answer 16

• The Lords check and approve the Bill and make amendments.
• Any amendments MUST go back to the Commons for consideration
• The House of Lords can delay some laws for up to a year but CANNOT block legislation

Question 17

What is Royal Assent? What Acts allow for Royal Assent without the approval of the Lords?

Answer 17

• the Bill is approved by the Queen

- the Parliament Acts 1911 and 1949 allow Royal Assent without the approval of the Lords

Question 18

What are some examples of when Royal Assent has been given without the approval of the Lords? (4)

Answer 18

• War Crimes Act 1991
• European Parliamentary Elections Act 1999
• Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 2000
• Hunting Act 2004

Question 19

What must Acts of Parliament state because of the Human Rights Act 1998?

Answer 19

Whether they are compatible or incompatible with human rights

Question 20

What are the 3 different types of Bill?

Answer 20

1) Public Bills - Bills that affect everyone
2) Private Members’ Bills - brought forward by a private member of Parliament - e.g the Marriage Act
3) Private Bills - only affect a local area - e.g The Whitehaven Harbour Bill