Parliamentary Law Making Flashcards
What are the three main components of the UK Parliament?
The House of Commons, House of Lords, and the Crown
How are members of the House of Commons elected?
By the electorate through a general election every 5 years
What is a constituency?
An area represented by a Member of Parliament (MP)
What is a by-election?
An election that takes place in a constituency when an MP has died or retired during a Parliament session.
What happens if the House of Commons votes against a Bill?
The Bill is rejected and cannot proceed
How are members of the House of Lords appointed?
By the Queen on the advice of the Prime Minister
What types of members make up the House of Lords?
Life peers, 26 archbishops, and 92 hereditary peers
What is the role of the House of Lords?
Examining Bills, questioning the government, and investigating public bodies.
How long can the House of Lords delay a Bill?
Up to one year
What is a Bill?
What are Private Bills?
Bills that apply to particular organisations or individuals (e.g., University College London Act 1996)
What are Public Bills?
Bills that affect the general public (e.g., Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015)
What are Government Bills?
Bills introduced by the government to carry out their manifesto promises
What are Private Members’ Bills and how can they be introduced?
Bills introduced by individual MPs, often called “backbenchers.” They can be introduced by:
Ballot: 20 MPs are selected to present a Bill.
Ten-minute rule: MPs make a speech for up to 10 minutes.
What is the Green Paper?
A consultative document where the government proposes ideas for reform
What is the White Paper?
A government document stating the final decision on how to reform the law
What are the stages of the legislative process?
First Reading: Formal introduction, no debate.
Second Reading: Main debate and vote.
Committee Stage: Detailed examination by 16-50 MPs.
Report Stage: Amendments are reported back to the House.
Third Reading: Final vote.
House of Lords: Same process; amendments can cause “ping-pong” between the two Houses.
Crown (Royal Assent): The monarch formally approves the Bill.
