UK Parliament

Question 1

Main functions of the commons

Answer 1

Representation
Legislation
Legitimation
Strong and stable government
Debate
Scrutiny

Question 2

Private member bills

Answer 2

Bills introduced by MPs & Lords who are not gov ministers

Question 3

Select committees

Answer 3

Review and scrutinise major gov. departments

Question 4

Bill committees

Answer 4

Committees which act on a temporary basis to scrutinise in detail new laws being proposed

Question 5

Cronyism

Answer 5

Where PM gives peerages to their friends/supporters

Question 6

What are examples of Cronyism?

Answer 6

• Cameron put 14 friends into the Lords
• Blair cash for peerage scandal
• Johnson attempted to give Patterson Peerage + Dories
• Johnson attempted to put his father in the lords

Question 7

How many opposition days are there per parliamentary session?

Answer 7

20

Question 8

Parliament Act 1911 and 1949

Answer 8

Commons can pass bills without approval of the Lords

Question 9

How many questions does the leader of the opposition get in PMQs?

Answer 9

6 out of 9

Question 10

Shadow cabinet

Answer 10

Senior team chosen by leader of the opposition to mirror the cabinet

Question 11

Parliamentary privilege

Answer 11

Protects MPs and peers from being sued for slander in place of Westminster

Question 12

Liaison Committee

Answer 12

Comprises of all chairs if every select committee and regularly questions the PM 3x a year

Question 13

Stages of a bill

Answer 13

FIRST READING - Presented in Parliament
SECOND READING- main principles of bill debated. Vote taken
COMMITTEE STAGE- considered by HofC public Bills committee. Each bill has a select committee to scrutinise.
REPORT STAGE- bill and any amendments are debated and voted
THIRD READING- debated
ROYAL ASSENT

Question 14

How many members of the lords are cross benchers?

Answer 14

183

Question 15

How many bishops are in the Lords?

Answer 15

26

Question 16

How many women are in the Commons?

Answer 16

35% are women

Question 17

What’s a constituency surgery?

Answer 17

When public go to ask questions for their MP

Question 18

Parliamentary duties of MPs

Answer 18

• speaking in Parliament during debate
• asking questions during PMQs
• introducing Member bills on topics of concern to their constituents
• lobbying other organisations (local council) and individuals on behalf of constituents.

Question 19

Backbench MPs

Answer 19

• They do not take part in the executive, shadow cabinet or the opposition front bench
• Main roles is constituency work, taking part in votes, committee work, PMBs and scrutiny of the executive

Question 20

Parliamentary sovereignty

Answer 20

Parliament has ultimate power