parliamentary law making

Question 1

what happens in royal assent in terms of the bill to act process? (1)

Answer 1

lord amendments are sent back to the house of commons where they will be discussed, the bill can make its way between the two houses for some time before finally being signed by the monarch.

Question 2

what is the function of the law commission? (1)

Answer 2

their purpose is to reform, repeal and make the law more cost and time effective.

Question 3

what happens in the committee stage in terms of the bill to act process? (1)

Answer 3

a committee is formed from experts in the specific areas that the bill concerns, they will go through the proposed act line by line before sending back a report of potential changes to be made.

Question 4

what happens in the third reading in terms of the bill to act process? (1)

Answer 4

in this stage there if often a brief debate and a final vote before going to the lords.

Question 5

what is the law commission? (1)

Answer 5

a government created institution of a permanent panel of legal experts who research’s the law and recommends which laws need to be reformed.

Question 6

what happens in the house of lords in terms of the bill to act process? (1)

Answer 6

the same process that happens in the house of commons happens in the house of lords, except at the committee stage all members take part. they create a report of recommendations of change that are sent back to the house of commons.
occasionally parliament will use the parliament acts of 1911 and 1949 to overrule this stage.

Question 7

what happens in the first reading in terms of the bill to act process? (1)

Answer 7

formal procedure where the short title of the bill is read out.

Question 8

what happens in the report stage in terms of the bill to act process? (1)

Answer 8

The amendments are read out to the house of commons where they either accept or deny changes.

Question 9

what happens in the second reading in terms of the bill to act process? (1)

Answer 9

the MPs in the house of commons debate the main principles of the bill at the end a vote is taken.

Question 10

what are the 9 stages of the bill to act process? (9)

Answer 10

-white papers
-green papers
-first reading
-second reading
-committee stage
-report stage
-third reading
-house of lords
-royal assent

Question 11

what is a private bill? (1)

Answer 11

issued by the government and only apply to those specifically mentioned in the bill such as institutions, businesses and people.

Question 12

describe what is meant by the term ‘bill’? (1)

Answer 12

bill is used to describe a law that is in the process of becoming an act of parliament.

Question 13

what is a hybrid bill? (1)

Answer 13

implemented by the government and affects an organisation, person or place.

Question 14

what is a public bill? (1)

Answer 14

implemented by the government and effects the general public.

Question 15

what are the 3 types of bill? (3)

Answer 15

-public bill
-hybrid bill
-private bill

Question 16

what are white papers? (1)

Answer 16

are government documents containing ways they are going to reform the law.

Question 17

what are green papers? (1)

Answer 17

are government documents of proposals made by the law commission on laws they think should be reformed.

Question 18

what are the disadvantages of a political parties influence, in terms of law making? (1)

Answer 18

-a new government comes into power every 5 years meaning that laws that were implemented during that time can be repealed, causing confusion among the public.

Question 19

how does public opinion/media influence parliament, in terms of law making? (2)

Answer 19

-gives the general public a voice in the law making process. (important for democracy)
-highlight areas of public concern to those in parliament.

Question 20

what is a cause pressure group? (1)

Answer 20

a pressure group that exists to promote a particular cause and anyone is allowed to join.

Question 21

what is an example of a hybrid bill? (1)

Answer 21

cross rail acts.

Question 22

what is an example of a public bill? (1)

Answer 22

legal aid, sentencing and punishment act 2012

Question 23

what is an example of a private bill? (1)

Answer 23

Fisherams oyster fishery company 2016

Question 24

when was the law commission formed? (1)

Answer 24

1965

Question 25

what is an example of a cause pressure group? (1)

Answer 25

the royal society of birds

Question 26

what is parliamentary supremacy? (1)

Answer 26

the idea that parliament have unlimited power in terms of repealing, reforming and making laws and no other body can overrule them.

Question 27

give two examples when public opinion has been the cause of an act of parliament? (2)

Answer 27

the dangerous dogs act 1991
the human rights act 1998

Question 28

how does devolution limit parliamentary supremacy? (1)

Answer 28

the Scotland act of 1998 and Wales act of 1998 handed down powers to their own parliaments which decreased the effect of the British parliament in these areas. but if it needed to it could repeal these acts but is unlikely to do so because of the chance of civil war and rebellion.

Question 29

what are the limitations on parliamentary supremacy? (3)

Answer 29

-devolution
-the human rights act
-the European union

Question 30

what is an example of a sectional pressure group? (1)

Answer 30

the British medical association which represents doctors and other medical careers.

Question 31

what is a sectional pressure group? (1)

Answer 31

a pressure group that exists to promote the rights of a particular group of people

Question 32

what are the disadvantages of the law commission, in terms of law making? (1)

Answer 32

-can only recommend reformation and cannot actually implement any changes.

Question 33

what are pressure groups sectioned into? (2)

Answer 33

-cause pressure groups
-sectional pressure groups

Question 34

what is meant by repeal? (1)

Answer 34

a law is no longer an act of parliament.

Question 35

what are the advantages of the law commission, in terms of law making? (3)

Answer 35

-are legal experts
-consult and correspond with areas of law that will be affected by a bill.
-whole areas are consolidated at once.

Question 36

how does the law commission impact parliament, in terms of law making? (1)

Answer 36

an independent body created by the government to review and reform law.

Question 37

what is codification? (1)

Answer 37

bringing together all the law on a topic in to one complete code of law.

Question 38

what are the advantages of public opinion/media in terms of law making? (2)

Answer 38

-bring attention to issues and areas of law that need changing or implementing.
-gives public a voice.

Question 39

what are the disadvantages of public opinion/media in terms of law making? (2)

Answer 39

-parliament can respond too quickly leading to poorly drafted laws.
-media often manipulate and exaggerate news stories and create false public opinion.

Question 39

what are the disadvantages of pressure groups, in terms of law making? (2)

Answer 39

-try to impose their opinion and issue onto the general public.
-are formed by a majority which have conflicting interests which confuses society.

Question 40

what are the advantages of pressure groups, in terms of law making? (2)

Answer 40

-raise important issues
-bring forward a wide range of issues, allowing parliament to amend them.

Question 41

how do pressure groups influence parliament, in terms of law making? (1)

Answer 41

certain groups that are directly affected by an issue find an interest in it, bring valid issues to the attention of the general public and government.

Question 42

what are the advantages of political influences, in terms of law making? (2)

Answer 42

-each political party has its proposals ready if its elected.
-a government majority means that most laws will be passed because they have the most seats.

Question 43

what factors influence parliament? (4)

Answer 43

-political influences
-pressure groups
-public opinion/media
-the law commission

Question 44

how do political influences impact parliament, in terms of law making? (1)

Answer 44

each political party has its own manifesto which is set out in the general election. when elected these become the basis on the laws they introduce into parliament.