Parliamentary legislation Flashcards
What is a public bill?
Affects either the whole country or a large section of it
What is the most common form of bill?
A public bill
- Affects either the whole country or a large section of it
- most common form of bill
A public bill
Example of a public bill
Equality Act 2010
Affects only individual people or corporations
Private bill
Private bill
Affects only individual people or corporations
Example of a private bill
University College London Act 1996
Private members’ bills
Bills introduced by individual MPs
Bills introduced by individual MPs
Private members’ bills
Government Bills
Introduced by government ministers
- introduced by government ministers
- take priority because they are backed by the government
Government Bills
What type of bill takes priority?
Government Bills
Why do government bills take priority?
They are backed by government
What allows a bill to become law even if the HoL rejects it, providing that the bill passes all stages again in the HoC?
The Parliament Acts 1911 and 1949
The Parliament Acts 1911 and 1949 allow for what?
A bill to become law even if the HoL rejects it, providing that the bill passes all stages again in the HoC
First stage of legislation
An idea for legislation
Stage after an idea for legislation
Green paper
Stage after green paper
White paper (bill)
Stage after white paper
First Reading
Stage after first reading
Second Reading
Stage after second reading
Committee stage
stage after committee stage
Report stage
Stage after report stage
Third reading
Stage after third reading
Passed to HoL
Stage after passing to HoL
Royal Assent
What happens to the green paper?
Sent to interested parties, who gather and refine ideas, and then send back the report
What is the white paper?
A detailed draft of the proposed legislation that takes into account suggestions made in the Green Paper, if this is issued
A detailed draft of the proposed legislation that takes into account suggestions made in the Green Paper, if this is issued
White paper
Who drafts the white paper?
The Parliamentary Counsel to the Treasury
The white paper must be what?
- unambiguous
- precise
- comprehensive
What is the first reading?
A formality in which the name and the main aims of the Bill are read out
What is the second reading?
Formal debate that ends in a vote
Formal debate that ends in a vote
Second reading
Who controls debates?
The speaker
How does the speaker control the debate?
Those who wish to speak must catch the speaker’s eye
What happens in the Committee stage?
- scrutiny of the bill, which is amended in line with the intended outcome
- Any suggestions proposed are voted on by those present
How many MPs are involved in the Committee Stage?
16-50
MPs in the committee stage are chosen specifically due to…
their knowledge of the subject
What happens in the Report stage?
Alterations made in the committee stage are reported back to HoC, where they read again, debate and vote
Alterations made in the committee stage are reported back to HoC, where they read again, debate and vote
Report stage
- scrutiny of the bill, which is amended in line with the intended outcome
- Any suggestions proposed are voted on by those present
Committee stage
Third Reading
Final vote on the bill
The bill is unlikely to be rejected at what stage?
Third reading
What happens when the bill is passed to the HoL?
The process repeats in the HoL
Differences in the process in the HoL
- Committee stage can involve all members of the HoL
- the government cannot restrict the subjects under discussion or impose a time limit
What is royal assent?
The monarch approves the bill and it becomes an Act of Parliament
