Statute Law

Question 1

What is a private member’s bill?

Answer 1

A bill of the House of Commons prepared by a backbench MP.

Question 2

What is a private bill?

Answer 2

A legislative bill affecting the interests only of a particular body or individual.

Question 3

What is a public bill?

Answer 3

A bill presented to Parliament by Government ministers to change the general law of the whole country.

Question 4

What is the impact of the Parliament Acts of 1911 and 1949

Answer 4

1911 Act asserted the supremacy of the House of Commons by limiting the legislation-blocking powers of the House of Lords. Provided the provisions of the Act are met, legislation can be passed without the approval of the House of Lords. The Parliament Act 1911 was amended by the Parliament Act 1949, which further limited the power of the Lords by reducing the time that they could delay bills, from two years to one.

Question 5

How are Acts of Parliament made?

Answer 5

Acts of Parliament begin as public, private members or privates bills, which may begin its journey in either the Lords or the Commons chambers. Any bills that relate to taxation begin in the House of Commons.

First reading - simple reading
Second reading - discussion/optional voting
Committee stage - line by line analysis by small team
Report stage - report amendments back to the house
Third reading - final debate and vote
Assent from the opposite chamber
Royal assent