Parliamentary Law Making

Question 1

Purpose of a Green Paper

Answer 1

• Outlines a gov. department’s intention to change the law, including the format it could take
• Encourages discussion before finalising any changes

Question 2

Contents of a GP

Answer 2

• Why the law needs to be changed
• Analysis of strengths and weaknesses
• Ideas of how to reform

Question 3

Where are GPs published?

Answer 3

• On the internet
• For public to comment on
• Circulated to interested parties (pressure groups etc)

Question 4

Example of GP

Answer 4

2022 SEND GP focused on obtaining feedback on how to ensure each person with SENDs receive the support needed

Question 5

Purpose of a WP

Answer 5

• Follows on from GPs
• ## Sets out gov’s new firm proposals for law reform

Question 6

Contents of a WP

Answer 6

• ## detailed explanation of proposed changes

Question 7

Publishing a WP

Answer 7

• not for consultation purposes
• published on the internet and sent to interested parties
• interested parties may express their views, but the gov have no obligation to allow this

Question 8

Example of a WP

Answer 8

Localism Act 2011

Question 9

What is a Bill?

Answer 9

A draft law

Question 10

Who approves a Bill?

Answer 10

Have to be approved by both the House of Commons and House of Lords before it receives Royal Assent

Question 11

What are Public Bills?

Answer 11

• Bills of general effect
• Relate to public policy which affects the whole country/large sections of it

Question 12

Who introduces Public Bills?

Answer 12

A government minister

Question 13

Example of a Public Bill

Answer 13

Matt Hancock, former Health Secretary, introduced the Health and Care Bill in 2021 to support recovery from the pandemic

Question 14

What do Public Bills reflect?

Answer 14

The views of the political party in power at the time, often based on their election manifesto

Question 15

Example of a Public Bill

Answer 15

Access to Justice Act 1999 which reformed the country’s legal aid provision

Question 16

Private Member Bill purpose?

Answer 16

To change the law for the general population

Question 17

Who introduces Private Member Bills?

Answer 17

An individual MP or Lord who is not a government minister

Question 18

What is the process of a PMB?

Answer 18

• In each Parliamentary session, 20 MPs are chosen from a ballot to take their turn in presenting their Bills to Parliament
• They can be on anything but are usually influenced by issues raised by either a pressure group or members of the constituency

Question 19

Example of a PMB?

Answer 19

Marriage Act 1994allowed buildings other than register offices/places of worship to be used to conduct weddings

Question 20

What is the purpose of a Private Bill?

Answer 20

• usually promoted by organisations (eg private companies) to give themselves power beyond the general law
• will only change the law if it applies to specific orgs or individuals, rather than the public

Question 21

Who can petition against Private Bills?

Answer 21

Groups or individuals potentially affected by these changes can petition to Parliament against the proposed Bill and present objections to a committee of MPs or Lords

Question 22

Example of Private Bill?

Answer 22

University College London Act 1996 transferred assets to UCL