The legislative process

Question 1

List, in order, the stages of a bill

Answer 1

(House of Commons)
First reading
Second reading and vote
Committee stage
Report stage and third reading
Repeats in House of Lords
If changes are made:
House of Commons
Changes accepted by HoC?
Royal assent
Changes rejected by HoC?
House of Lords
Decision accepted by HoL?
Royal assent
Decision rejected by HoL?
Back to HoC

Question 2

What is the first reading stage?

Answer 2

Bill is introduced

Question 3

What is the second reading a vote stage of a bill?

Answer 3

Full debate and vote

Question 4

What is the committee stage of a bill?

Answer 4

Scrutinised by public bill committee, changes proposed and voted on

Question 5

What is the report stage and third reading of a bill?

Answer 5

Amendments, debate and vote on final bill

Question 6

What is the interaction between the Commons and the Lords?

Answer 6

A bill can go back and forth between the two Houses for up to a year before it becomes law
Known as “ping-pong”
The Lords can propose amendments to the Commons
The Commons can accept them or send them back to the Lords
The Lords can then accept the Commons’ will or send the bill back

Question 7

What are the Parliament Acts and how can they be invoked during the legislative process?

Answer 7

Parliament Acts of 1911 and 1949 removed the power to veto a bill from the Lords
Instead, Lords could delay a bill for up to two years (1911) reduced to one year in 1949
Act stated the Lords can’t amend or delay “money bills”
Elected Commons can reintroduced the bill the following year and pass them without the consent of the Lords