Parliamentary Law Making P2 Flashcards
What are the three types of law?
- Private bill
- Public bill
- Hybrid bill
What’s a private bill?
Laws which only apply to particular individuals or organisations.
What’s a public bill?
Laws which apply to the whole country, suggested by gov.
What can public bills start as?
Gov bills- introduced by gov and carries out their manifesto promises.
Private members bills- introduced by back bench MPs, but less likely to succeed unless support of gov.
What’s a hybrid bill?
Laws that impact public but also specific effects on certain people//groups.
What are the 5 Pre-Parliamentary stages?
Idea stage
Consultation stage
Green paper
White paper
Drafting stage
Idea stage
Idea for new law, normally devised by gov.
Consultation stage
The idea is discussed with experts
Green Paper
Discussion document that sets out the idea for the new law but may include several alternatives.
White Paper
Finalised version of the idea which is the government’s ‘statement of intent’
Drafting Stage
Idea written into legal terminology by the parliamentary counsel - it is now a bill.
What are the 7 parliamentary stages?
First reading
Second reading
Committee stage
Report stage
Third reading
House of Lords (usually)
Royal assent
First Reading
Name and aims of bill read out by sponsoring MP, no discussion or voting, second reading date set.
Second Reading
- Whole House debates the bill and votes either ‘aye’ or ‘no’, (verbal vote) the Speaker announces who has won the vote.
- Or if uncertain, use formal voting of splitting each in favour or not into different rooms.
Committee Stage
- Small group (16-50) of MPs//lords reviewing bill.
- Chosen by special interest or those with knowledge on topic.
Report Stage
Amendments reported back to house ,debated and voted on.
Third Reading
Final reading of the bill and then the bill is said to have ‘passed through the house’
Other Houses
- If bill began in commons, passes to bills and vice versa.
- 5 stages repeated in the new house, will have to be passed back and forth until agreeable.
Royal Assent
Bill becomes an Act of Parliament once thte Queen signs it.
Advantages of the Legislation Process
- Long process allows time for the bill to be effectively scrutinised and checked for errors.
- First reading allow the opposition to prepare an argument against the bill for the second reading.
- House of Lords contain many legal experts and so is used as a ‘safety net’ for checking the bill for errors.
Disadvantages of the Legislative Process
- Slow and lengthy, delaying necessary laws.
- House of Commons can override the Lords, limiting scrutiny. PARLIAMENT ACT 1911
- Public consultations may not reflect diverse opinions.
- Political agendas can marginalise important issues.
Bill
- Name of draft law before going through parliament
Act of Parliament
- A law that’s already been passed through the parliament, official law.
