Parliament & Law making

Question 1

what is parliament?

Answer 1

• the most powerful institution in the state
• 3 bodies;
  1. house of commons (650 mp’s)- important&influential
  2. house of lords (800)
  3. monarchs

Question 2

function of parliament?

Answer 2

1. legislative role to make acts of parliament
2. political role=scrutinising government & holding to account
3. political role=debating issues of the day
4. political role=approving government budget

Question 3

primary legislations?

Answer 3

• acts of parliament + statutes
  1. highest form law in our legal system
  2. no person or body has power to set aside act of parliament

Question 4

types of acts of parliament

Answer 4

• public general acts*
  1. most statutes are public general acts/proposed by gov
  2. preceded by consultation paper/green paper then white paper
  3. public general bills have been published in draft since 1999

Question 5

private member bills

Answer 5

1. introduced by individual mp’s & lords - not government
2. murder (abolition of death penalty) act 1956, abortion act 1967

Question 6

private acts

Answer 6

1. changes law applying to certain individuals/organisations

2. petitioned for by organisation affected by another body (local authority)

Question 7

hybrid acts

Answer 7

1. elements of both public and private acts