Parliamentary Law Making - Paper 2 Flashcards

1
Q

What are the three institutions of Parliament?

A

House of Commons, House of Lords, and the Monarch

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2
Q

Describe the composition of the House of Commons

A

Consists of MPs elected at a general election. The political party with the most seats in the Commons forms the government

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3
Q

Describe the composition of the House of Lords

A

It is a non-elected body made up of life peers, hereditary peers, and senior bishops

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4
Q

Which Acts of Parliament made the House of Lords less powerful than the House of Commons?

A

The Parliament Acts of 1911 and 1949

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5
Q

Name the current Monarch and their function in the parliamentary process

A

King Charles III, and gives Royal Assent to a Bill

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6
Q

What are the two types of Bill?

A

Public Bills and Private Members Bills

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7
Q

What is the difference between public bills and private members bills?

A

Public Bills are introduced by the government and involve matters of public policy, whereas Private Members Bills are introduced by individual MPs

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8
Q

What is Dicey’s definition of parliamentary supremacy?

A

Parliament can legislate on any subject matter with no limits

No Parliament can be bound by any previous Parliament pass an Act which will bind a successor

No other body has the right to override or set aside an Act of Parliament

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9
Q

What are the three limitations on parliamentary supremacy?

A

The effect of the Human Rights Act 1998, Devolution, EU Membership

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10
Q

What is a Green Paper?

A

An idea for a new law, a consultation document

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11
Q

What is a White Paper?

A

A firm proposal for a new law

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12
Q

Explain what happens during the First Reading?

A

Minister gives information about the Bill, including its name and main aims

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13
Q

Explain what happens during the Second Reading?

A

Main debate about the main principles of the Bill, not the smaller details. There is a vote on whether the Bill should proceed to the next stage

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14
Q

Explain what happens during the Committee Stage?

A

Detailed examination of the Bill by a committee of between 15-60 MPs. Every line of the Bill is examined and amendments can be made

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15
Q

Describe what happens during the Report Stage?

A

Committee reports back any amendments to the House. If there are no amendments, there is no report stage

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16
Q

Explain what happens during the Third Reading?

A

Final vote on the Bill, normally a formality as its unlikely to fail at this stage

17
Q

What happens when a Bill is sent to the Other House?

A

Bill goes through the same five stages it did in the other House. Possible ‘ping pong’ effect if changes are made

18
Q

What is meant by Royal Assent?

A

Monarch formally gives approval to the Bill and it becomes an Act of Parliament