UK Parliament Flashcards
how many life peers are in the House of Lords?
654
what did the House of Lords Act (1999) do?
reduced the number of hereditary peers to 92
how many Lords Spiritual are there
26- all from the Church of England
What are the two ways to be elected to the House of Lords?
The House of Lords Appointment Committee receive nominations from the public/ research individuals, OR the PM can appoint members using powers of patronage
what are 4 functions of the house of commons
any: Law making, Representation, Scrutiny, Debate, Legitimation, Providing ministers
How does the house of commons fulfil its functions of scrutiny, law-making and representation
scrutiny- departmental select committees, scrutinise gov departments
law-making- private members bills, debates, queens speech
representation- in debates and surgeries
what are 4 key functions of the House of Lords
Law-making- can propose bills, delay the passage of bills, send bills back to parliament
scrutiny- written and spoken questions put to gov and debate
investigate policy- HoL select committees investigate by hearing expert advice and creating reports
representation- represent experts e.g doctors, lawyers who are underrepped in HoC
how many conservative peers in the House of Lords
250
how many Labour peers in the HoL
187
How many Lib Dem peers in the HoL
98
How many crossbenchers are there in the HoL
185
how does the House of Commons fail to represent the country?
not equal to UK social makeup
10% of MPs from ethnic minorities when 14% of pop., 23% went to Oxbridge, only 32% of MPs are female and 52% are over 50
what % of the HoC are female
32%
what % of the HoC are over 50
52%
how does the HoL fufil its law-making function
members can propose bills, and experts can give creative input through debates into legislation
