UK Parliament (L5/6)

Question 1

The House of Commons is elected at least every five years.

Answer 1

Fixed-term Parliament Act 2011 (now repealed).
Dissolution and Calling of Parliament Act 2022.

Question 2

Voting systems used in the UK:

Answer 2

First past the post.
The alternative vote system.
- Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Act 2011.
Proportional representation e.g. AMS.

Question 3

Makeup of the House of Lords:

Answer 3

Hereditary peers (90).
Appointed peers (680).
Bishops (“Lords Spiritual”) (26).

Question 4

Stages of reform of the HL:

Answer 4

House of Lords Act 1999.
- Removal of all but 92 of the hereditary peers.
House of Lords Reform Act 2014.
- Ability to resign from the House of Lords.
House of Lords Reform Draft Bill (2011).
- Proposed a House of 450 members, either 100% or 80% elected, for a single, non-renewable, 15-year term, elected under STV, with no change to HL powers/functions.

Question 5

Stages of law-making:

Answer 5

1. Bills—introduced by an MP
2. Second reading—general debate on the Bill.
3. Committee stage—the first amending stage; either Public Bill committee or committee of the whole House.
4. Report stage—the second amending stage.
5. Third reading—the final vote on the Bill.

Question 6

Bills must be passed by both houses.

Answer 6

Salisbury Convention (HL will not resist a Bill that implements a commitment made by the governing party in its election manifesto).
- Parliament Act 1911 (as amended in 1949).
- Money Bills may be delayed by HL by one month.
- Other Bills may be delayed by HL by one year.