Parliamentary Law Making

Question 1

Electorate

Answer 1

All people in a country or area who are entitled to vote in an election

Question 2

Manifesto

Answer 2

A written statement declaring publicly the intentions, motives or views of the issuers.

Question 3

Royal Assent

Answer 3

Monarch signing off on a law

Question 4

Mandate

Answer 4

Official order or commission to do something

Question 5

Bill

Answer 5

A proposed law which is introduced into Parliament

Question 6

MPs “ take whip”

Answer 6

Front bench MPs forced to vote a certain way

Question 7

Ammendment

Answer 7

A change to the wording of a bill or motion that is proposed by an MP or member of the HOL

Question 8

Two houses of Parliament

Answer 8

House of commons
House of lords

Question 9

Who runs parliament

Answer 9

Speaker

Question 10

Types of Bill

Answer 10

Private
Public - government
Public - Private members’

Question 11

Private Bill

Answer 11

Affects an individual or a company

Example: University of London Act 2018

Question 12

Public - Government Bill

Answer 12

Affects everyone in the country. Usually introduced by the government

Example: EU Withdrawal Act 2018

Question 13

Public - Private members’ bill

Answer 13

Bills introduced by an individual either done by a ballot of the ten minute rule

Example: Abortion Act 1967

Question 14

PLM Process (Not explained)

Answer 14

1. Consultation Stage
2. First Reading
3. Second Reading
4. Committee Stage
5. Report Stage
6. Third Reading
7. Other house
8. Ping Pong Stage
9. Royal Assent
10. Commencement

Question 15

Consulation Stage

Answer 15

Green Paper
White Paper
Draft Bill

Question 16

Green Paper

Answer 16

Consultation document

Question 17

White Paper

Answer 17

Sets out government’s firm proposals for the new law

Question 18

Draft Bill

Answer 18

Puts the proposal into formal, legal language

Question 19

First Reading

Answer 19

Name and aims of the bill are announced

Question 20

Second Reading

Answer 20

Main debate

Question 21

Committee Stage

Answer 21

The bill is thoroughly scrutinised and ammendments are suggested

Question 22

Report Stage

Answer 22

Recommended ammendments are reported back to the House

Question 23

Third Reading

Answer 23

Final debate and vote

Question 24

Other House

Answer 24

The entire process up to this point is repeated in the other house (First reading to third reading)

Question 25

Ping Pong Stage

Answer 25

Ammendments are sent back and forth from either house until they can come to an agreement

Question 26

Royal Assent

Answer 26

The monarch signs off the law

Question 27

Commencement

Answer 27

At 12am of the day of Royal Assent, the law comes into enforcement

Question 28

Advantages of the PLM Process

Answer 28

1. Law is made by elected representatives and so it is democratic.
2. In emergencies, laws can be passed alot quicker
3. HOL used as a checking mechanism so laws should not have any mistakes
4. Goes through a lengthy process so that the law is fair

Question 29

Disadvantages of the PLM Process

Answer 29

1. Process may take too long and the law may not be in line with society’s values by the time its passed
2. Parliament can’t be questioned as they are the supreme law maker
3. Can be undemocratic because MPs can “take whip”
4. Government is in charge of Parliamentary timetable so ultimate function (Law making) is often forgotten