Parliamentary Law Making Flashcards
What is Parliament made up of?
House of Commons (elected chamber), House of Lords (unelected life peers + bishops), Monarch
What is a public bill?
Bill introduced by government that affects everyone in the country.
e.g equality act 2010
What is a private bill?
Bill that affects individuals, introduced by affected groups who petition parliament.
e.g British Railways Act
What is a private members’ bill?
A public bill introduced by backbench MP.
e.g Abortion Act
What is the first pre-parliamentary stage?
Green Paper issued by minister responsible for it, outlining proposals for change.
What is the purpose of the green paper?
Get feedback and make changes if necessary.
What is the white paper?
Firm proposals government publishes to Parliament.
What is the first Parliamentary stage?
First Reading where the title of the bill is read out and a verbal vote to proceed is taken.
What is the second Parliamentary stage?
MP that proposed bill starts debating and a vote is taken to proceed.
What is the third Parliamentary stage?
Committee Stage with 16-65 MPs who scrutinise and check the bill for potential problems, making changes to ensure it works.
What is the fourth Parliamentary stage?
Report Stage where the committee reports changes to parliament and can debate amendments.
What is the fifth Parliamentary stage?
Final vote on bill.
What happens when the bill gets sent to the HoL?
Same as HoC; can pass back bill for further amendments, causing a ‘ping-pong’ effect.
What is the final stage to pass a bill?
Royal Assent where the King signs the bill, and it becomes a new law (Act of Parliament).
