The Legislative Process

What is the Legislative Process?

This is when the government help introduce a law into parliament. When a bill is prepared it is presented to the UK parliament and must go through a process before it is officially becomes law.

Explain the Legislative Process.

The House of Commons (they are democratic) were given power under parliament acts 1911 and 1949 to force through an act without the House of Lords consent.

This is rarely happens but is there when an agreement cannot be reached like when they passed the Hunting Act 2004.

House of Lords is also limited by constitutional convention (rules of good behaviour) like the Salisbury Convention which provides the unselected HoL not to voted against bills committed into government general election manifesto.

What are the stages of the Legislative Process?

Green and White Paper

First Reading

Second Reading

Committee Stage

Report Stage

Third Reading

House of Lords

Royal Assent

What is the Green Paper?

This is an early consultative document which allows for legislation and is open to comments, discussions and where the government consult with the interested parties

What is the White Paper?

This is the established, finalized proposal for legislation.

What is the First Reading?

This is the formal title of the prepared bill. There is no debate and no vote at this stage

What is the Second Reading?

This is when the MPs have the opportunity to debate and vote the main principles of the bill. They can decide whether the legislation should proceed.

What is the Committee Stage?

This is where there is a detailed examination of the bill and it is looked at it clause by clause. This is when changes and amendments can be made.

What is the Report Stage?

The report stage is when the committee reports back to the House and reports the changes from the 3rd stage (Committee Stage). Any amendments are debated and voted upon.

What is the Third Reading?

This is when the House of Commons to debate and vote but there can be no amendments can be made. This is simply to see if they accept or reject the legislation as it currently stands.

What does Royal Assent do?

The monarch grants this when they approve of the bill and can sign it off to be passed as a law after all of the stages. The monarch technically must give his consent to all legislation before it becomes law.