Parliamentary Law Making

Question 1

What is meant by ‘Parliamentary supremacy’?

Answer 1

Parliament is the most powerful law maker in the UK
They have the right to make, amend, and repeal any law and no previous or future government can override the decisions made.

Question 2

What are the 3 parts of Parliament?

Answer 2

Monarch
Lords
Commons

Question 3

What is Parliament’s law called?

Answer 3

Acts
Legislation
Statutes

Question 4

Other than parliament who can make law?

Answer 4

Judges
Local council
Public bodies

Question 5

What is the government?

Answer 5

A party who were elected to run the country - prime minister’s party

Question 6

How many MPs are in the house of commons?

Answer 6

650

Question 7

Who sits in the house of lords?

Answer 7

Life peers (people who have achieved a lot in their career or just life)
Bishops
Hereditary peers

Question 8

Who used to sit in the house of lords but don’t anymore? And why?

Answer 8

Law lords
To ensure separation of powers

Question 9

What are the 4 types of bill?

Answer 9

Private member’s bill
Public Bill
Private Bill
Government Bill

Question 10

Explain what a Government Bill is.

Answer 10

A draft law introduced to Parliament by the government.

Question 11

Explain what a Private Member’s Bill is.

Answer 11

A draft law introduced to Parliament by an MP not in government (back bencher).

Question 12

Explain what a Public Bill is.

Answer 12

A draft law that affects the whole country.

Question 13

Explain what a Private Bill is.

Answer 13

A draft law that only affects certain individuals or businesses.

Question 14

Where does a Bill begin?

Answer 14

With the relevant government department.

Question 15

What is the first stage for a Bill?

Answer 15

Green Paper
Government department publishes a green paper that sets out general aims. This invites responses from interested parties and changes are made accordingly.

Question 16

What is the second stage of a Bill?

Answer 16

White Paper
Government department publishes a white paper that contains firm proposals for the new law. This then moves to the next stage.

Question 17

What is the third stage of a Bill?

Answer 17

The House of commons

Question 18

Within the third stage of a Bill what is the first reading?

Answer 18

The title and the aims are read out.

Question 19

Within the third stage of a Bill what is the second reading?

Answer 19

Minister explains the purpose of the Bill and the MPs debate and vote. If the majority agrees, it goes ahead.

Question 20

Within the third stage of a Bill what is the committee stage?

Answer 20

16-50 MPs scrutinise the Bill in detail, examine each clause and will consider any potential problems.

Question 21

Within the third stage of a Bill what is the Report stage?

Answer 21

Committee reports back to the commons with suggested amendments. These will either be accepted or rejected.

Question 22

Within the third stage of a Bill what is the third reading?

Answer 22

Another debate is held on the amended Bill then there is a final vote. If the majority agrees, it will move to the next stage.

Question 23

What is the fourth stage of a Bill?

Answer 23

The house of lords
Same process as the commons takes place but the committee stage involves the whole house.
Then passed back to the commons and the ping pong stage begins. Goes back and forth until both are happy then it goes to the next stage.

Question 24

What is the fifth stage of a Bill?

Answer 24

Bill goes to the monarch for a royal assent and the bill comes into force at midnight that night.