Parliamentary law making

Question 1

What are public and private members’ bills?

types of bill

Answer 1

Affects the whole country - put forward by government

Question 2

What is a private members’ bill & example of one

Answer 2

Affects the whole country, put forward by individual mp
less likely to become law unless supported by government

— Abortion act 1967

Question 3

What will the government do first when looking to introduce a new piece of legislation?

pre legislative process

Answer 3

• Issue a green paper, which is a consultation document
• Which sets out governments proposals and invites everyone to submit their views

Question 4

What is a private bill?

Types of bill

Answer 4

a) Changes the law regarding specific organisations, not the general public eg; middle level bill (ammends powers of those in charge of waterways in East Anglea)

Question 5

What is a hybrid bill?

Answer 5

Affects general population but impacts specific groups or individuals

Question 6

What is issued after the consulation is completed?

pre legislative process

Answer 6

• A white paper
• Firm proposal of new law

Question 7

What happens after a white paper is published?

pre legislative process

Answer 7

• A draft bill will be put together by parliamentary draftsmen
• Puts proposals into formal, legal language

Question 8

Outline the legislative process (starting in house of commons)

Answer 8

1. First reading (short title of the bill is read out, no debates/voting)
2. Second reading (Mp’s debate, vote is held)
3. Committee stage (Bill is examined in detail, ammendments are voted on)
4. Report stage (Ammendments considered, debate, more ammendments, voting)
5. Third reading (Debate contents of the bill, vote, no more ammendments)
6. House of Lords (process is repeated, returned to commons to consider ammendments) - if cannot agree, bill goes back and forth ‘ping-pong’
7. Royal assent (Monarch’s approval, becomes an act)
8. Commencement (Act comes inot force)