WK 5 - Legislative Process

Question 1

Stage One - First Reading:

Answer 1

• Formal introduction of Bill to Parliament
• No debate

Question 2

Second reading

Answer 2

• General debate in main chamber on Bill

Question 3

Stage 3 - Committee stage

Answer 3

• Detailed scrutiny + debate on the provisions of the Bill in a Public Bill Committee in the House
• Amendments may be made (where closest scrutiny takes place)
• Although governing political party may try turn this stage into formality by appointing members who don’t engage much

Question 4

Stage 4 - Report stage

Answer 4

• Takes place in main chamber
• Further amendments can be tabled, but these won’t be subject to much scrutiny as Committee stage already passed

Question 5

Stage 5 - Third reading

Answer 5

• Short general debate on whole of Bill
• If approved, sent to other House

(e.g. if approved by HoL, sent to HoC)

• Process repeated in other House [typically HoL]
• If any amendments, these must be considered by other House

Question 6

‘Ping-pong’ [Stage 5.5?]

Answer 6

• Before a Bill can be sent to King for Royal Assent, both Houses must agree on the final text
• Text goes between parties until agree
• If no agreement reached, Gov’t can use Parliament Acts mechanism whereby HoC bypasses Lords’ consent and sends Bill to King after the Lords’ delaying time has lapsed

Question 7

Stage 6 - Royal Assent

Answer 7

• Bill becomes an Act of Parliament and can be enforced