Parliamentary law making process - AC1.1 (Process used for law making) Flashcards
What is the UK in terms of law making?
A parliamentary democracy were laws are passed by Acts of Parliament
What are laws?
Statutes or legislation which creates rules which a population follows and law enforcers ensure people follow
What is the order of Parliament?
House of Commons (Lower Chamber)
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House of Lords (Upper Chamber)
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Monarchy
What are the people in the House of Lords called and how many of them are there?
Called ‘Peers’ and there are around 800 of them
How are Lords chosen?
Lords are a collection of 92 hereditary peers, 26 Church of England Bishops, and former PM’s/MP’s/Speakers of the House of Commons who have been recommended by a sitting PM
What are the people who sit in the House of Commons called?
Members of Parliament (MP’s) who are elected in an election to represent a constituency
How many representatives are in the House of Commons?
650 (326 MP’s for a majority/1 PM/1 Leader of the Opposition/1 Speaker of the House)
Who is responsible for running Parliament?
The government
What is the per-parliamentary stage of creating a law?
Green Paper:
- Before a bill is put to parliament a green paper is created to create public discussion and see how the public responds
White Paper:
- After government consultation a white paper is published which is a detailed report of the legislation which includes a draft of the bill they want to pass
What is the first two stages of the parliamentary process?
First reading:
- Government introduce the bill to the Commons and give a formal announcement along with a vote
Second reading:
- The main principles of the bill is considered and debated followed by a vote which determines if the majority of the Commons agree with the bill
What occurs during the Committee Stage and when does it happen?
Occurs after the first and second reading and is where the bill is examined in detail by a committee from different political parties, with the report given to the Commons which proposes amendments
What occurs during the report stage and when does it happen?
Occurs after the committee stage and is where MPs are given the opportunity to consider the committee’s report and followed by a vote
What follows the report stage?
Third Reading:
- Final chance to debate the bill in the Commons but no amendments can be made (it is either pass or reject)
Where does a bill go following its approval of the House of Commons?
The House of Lords:
- Same stages of the Commons but the Lords can suggest amendments and bounce it back and forth to the Commons until everyone is happy (called ping-ponging).
- Commons have the final say on everything
What is the final stage of the law making process?
Royal assent:
- The monarchy gives permission for the act to become law and once permission is granted by the King or Queen it becomes law immediately
