What roles do the House of Commons and the House of Lords have in passing legislation?

Question 1

1. What exclusive powers does the House of Commons have?

Answer 1

1. As the elected chamber, it controls legislation relating to taxation.

Question 2

1. What type of legislation can the Lords amend?

Answer 2

1. They can only amend non-financial legislation.

Question 3

1. Who is legislation initiated by?

Answer 3

1. Legislation is initiated by the government, with few opportunities for backbench and opposition MPs.

Question 4

1. Does parliament come up with its own legislative proposals?

Answer 4

1. Parliament mostly reacts to proposals put forward by the executive, rather than coming up with its own measures. It rarely manages to defeat or significantly amend legislation.

Question 5

1. How is it possible for parliament to defeat legislation?

Answer 5

1. Opposition is needed from both opposition parties and, rebels on the government side.

Question 6

1. How was David Cameron’s proposal to extend Sunday trading, defeated?

Answer 6

1. In March 2016, Labour and SNP joined with Conservative dissidents.

Question 7

1. What do the party whips do?

Answer 7

1. They ensure that MPs attend parliamentary votes, and they grant leaves of absence if their vote isn’t essential.

Question 8

1. What are the written instructions which party whips issue?

Answer 8

1. These indicate how important it is for an MP to be present. Votes undelined 3 times are the most important, whilst those underlined once or twice, are less important.

Question 9

1. How do government whips reward loyalty?

Answer 9

1. By offering ministerial posts.

Question 10

1a. How can whips impose sanctions on those who don’t accept the party line?
1b. What happens to an MP in the case of misconduct?

Answer 10

1a. MPs can be removed from the party, and be made to sit as independants.
1b. This can also happen when it is believed that an MPs actions have damaged the party’s reputation.

Question 11

1. Are there whips in the House of Lords?

Answer 11

1. Yes, there are smaller teams of whips.

Question 12

1. What is an example of overriding necessity?

Answer 12

1. The 2005 Prevention of Terrorism Act, which introduced control orders for individuals suspected of terrorism, completed all its stages in 18 days.

Question 13

1. What is an example of a poorly drafted bill?

Answer 13

1. The 1991 Dangerous Dogs Act. It’s argued, that instead of prohibiting breeds of dogs, it should have targeted irresponsible owners. A study by the RSPCA 25 years later, showed that out of 30 deaths caused by dogs in that period, 21 involved breeds that weren’t specified in the act.