Parliamentary law making process Flashcards
First reading
Read out and printedS
Bills
75% in commons, including all financial bills
Second reading
first debate and vote
Committee stage
Examined in detail, line-by-line by 16-50 MP’s in a group, or whole house committee in lords. Those with special interest/expertise
Report stage
changes from committee stage reported back to house
Third reading
final debate and vote
Other house
Passed to opposite house and same again, ping pong occurs until they agree
parliament acts 1911 and 1949 mean HOL cant block, only delay for year, seen with hunting act 2004
Royal assent
Monarch signs it off, given commencement date
Democratic process
Adv
Mp’s elected to acvcountable
e.g. 2010 lib dems lower tuition yet raised them
Public involved at green paper
Reform full areas of law
Adv
Allows all changes implement for fresh start
E.g. criminal justice act 2003
Consultation on changes
Adv
With public at green paper and experts at committee stage
E.g. Childrens mental health bill got feedback from schools, parents and medical professionals
MP’s can bring up public points in debates
Allows detail added later
Adv
Act can include allowances for ministers to add detail through statutory instruments later
E.g. Dangerous dogs act - home dept
Long process
Disadv
Various stages plus both houses means can take years, some laws fast tracked but means errors e.g. coronavirus act 2020
Lack of time
Disadv
Some stages given limited time for debates, others prioritiesed
e.g. during brexit or covid other laws pushed aside
Leaves little time for private members bills
Government control
Disadv
Over which laws introduced, timetabling for debates (give little times for ones they dont want to process)
e.g. current government have their priorities (immigration/tax, dont leave time for environment)
