Parliamentary law making

Question 1

State the pre-legislative process

Answer 1

Green paper- a consultative document in which the governments view is put forward with proposals for law reform.
White paper- firm proposals for a new law will then be issued.

Question 2

What’s a bill and state the types

Answer 2

A bill is a proposed act
Private members bill- introduced by a backbench MP
Public bill- proposed by government ministers, aim at the public as a whole.
Private bills- aimed at a specific group.

Question 3

What is the process of a bill becoming an act

Answer 3

First reading- introduction
Second reading- first debate and vote on key principles of the bill
Committee stage- Bill scrutinised by a committee of MPs who specialise in the topic and ammendments can be made
Report stage- committee report their findings and gives another opportunity for amendments.
Third reading- Tidying up any loose ends, amendments can be made providing they havent already been discussed.
Other house (usually HOL)- The bill goes through the same procedure in the other house and there if any amendments are made it must go back to the first house at the report stage (‘ping pong’)
Royal assent- Queen gives her approval.

Question 4

Parliament sovereignty

Answer 4

• Parliament can legislate on any subject matter
• No parliament can be bond by any previous Parliament, nor can parliament pass any Act that would bind a later Parliament.
• No other body has the right to override or set aside an act of parliament.

Question 5

Advantages of Parliamentary process

Answer 5

• An in depth process, reduces the risk of mistakes
• It can be debated (democratic)
• Traditional

Question 6

Disadvantages of Parliamentary process

Answer 6

• ‘PING PONG’ : lead to delays and constant disagreements
• Old fashioned
• Time consuming
• HOL un-elected so could arguably be non democratic.