Parliamentary Law Making Paper 2 SA Flashcards
What is Parliament?
Parliament refers to the three-part body of law making, made up of the Monarch, Houses of Commons, and Lords.
What does Government refer to?
Government refers to the Party with a majority in the Houses of Commons, e.g., Conservatives.
Who leads the Government?
The Government has one leader - The Prime Minister and 22 Cabinet members who are leaders of Government Departments.
How many members are in the House of Commons?
There are 650 members, democratically elected by the Public who represent a constituency each.
How often are general elections held for the House of Commons?
There is a general election every 5 years.
What powers does the House of Commons have?
The Commons can begin Bills debates and scrutinise Bills during the Act making process. It is the more powerful house due to being democratically elected.
What is the House of Lords?
The House of Lords is a non-elected body made up of Hereditary Peers, Life peers, and the most senior 26 Bishops of the Church of England.
What powers does the House of Lords have?
The Lords can begin Bills debate and scrutinise bills during the Act making process. They cannot stop a bill from progressing but can delay it.
What is the role of the Monarch in parliamentary law-making?
The monarch is a ceremonial figurehead, meaning they do not exercise executive powers.
What is a Green Paper?
Green Papers are consultation documents that put forward proposals for law reform from the Government with several alternative policy options.
What is a White Paper?
A White Paper is published by the Government with its firm proposals for the new law, stating their decisions on law reform.
What happens during the First Reading of a Bill?
The First Reading is a formal procedure where the name of the Bill is read out. There is no discussion or vote.
What occurs during the Second Reading of a Bill?
The main debate on the whole bill occurs, where MPs debate the principles behind the bill, followed by a vote.
What is the Committee Stage?
A detailed examination of each clause of the Bill is undertaken by a committee of 16-50 MPs or Lords.
What happens during the Report Stage?
The committee reports back to the House on any amendments that have been voted on and passed.
What is the Third Reading?
The Third Reading is the final vote on the Bill, and it is unlikely to fail if it has reached this stage.
What is Parliamentary Supremacy?
Parliament is the supreme law maker, meaning its power is not limited, and it can make or unmake laws on any topic.
How can the media influence law making?
The media can influence law making if there is strong public opinion on an issue, bringing it to the attention of the public.
E.g., News of the World and Sarah’s Law.
What are the two types of pressure groups?
Sectional groups represent the interests of a particular group, while Cause groups promote a particular cause.
What are Public Bills?
Public Bills are those that affect the whole public.
What are Government Bills?
Government Bills are put forward by the Government, often by Government ministers, that affect everyone.
E.g., The Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012.
What are Private Members Bills?
Private Members Bills are put forward by individual MPs or Lords who are not part of the Government.
E.g., The Abortion Act 1967.
What are Private Bills?
Private Bills are designed to create law that only affects individual people or corporations.
E.g., Faversham Oyster Fishery Company Act 2017.
What are Hybrid Bills?
Hybrid Bills are a cross between public and private bills, put forward by Government ministers but only affecting specific groups.
