Parliamentary Law Making P2 Flashcards
What makes up Parliament
House of Commons
House of Lords
Around how many Acts are passed each year
60-70
What is the Civil service
People who work in the administration of the government
They advise the government ministers to help bring into force the Cabinets new legislation
They do not loose there job during a change in government
What is the Cabinet
Name for committee of senor ministers who make and control the government policies
They meet weekly at Cabinet room in Downing street to discuss relevant issues
Need Cabinets support for a bill to become law
What is the Government
Formed by the party which wins the most seats in the General Election
What role does the Monarchy have over law making
Monarch must give permission for Any Act of Parliament to be put into force
They are politically neutral
Meets the PM in private every week and has a duty to encourage, advise and to warn
What is a ‘Bill’
A proposal for a law
What are the two stages taken before a bill is formed
Green Papers
White Papers
What are Green Papers
The first stage in developing a bill
Issued by the Minister with responsibility for that topic
It is a consultive document asking for the comments of interested parties so that full consideration if all sides can be made and necessary changes made to the government proposals
Brief and small
What are White Papers
Following green papers proposals
It is a firm proposal for a new law
Which paper comes first when making a bill: White or Green
Green
What are all the stages of a bill becoming an Act of Parliament
First Reading
Second Reading
Committee Stage
Report Stage
Third Reading
Bill moves to other House
Royal Assent
What is the First Reading of a bill to become law
The title and main aims of the bill are announced. A date is set for the second reading (Very brief)
What is the Second Reading of a bill to become law
House debates the whole bill, focusing on main principles of it
End of debate - vote for or against the bill
Should the bill progress beyond this stage - it is likely to become an act of Parliament
