PARLIAMENTARY LAW MAKING

What are the 2 processes

The legislative process and the pre legislative process

How many stages are there in the pre legislative process

2

What are the two stages in the pre legislative process

Green paper and white paper

What is the green paper

The document for consultation (like a draft) that puts forward the governments view, as well as proposals for new law

Interested parties send comments to the department in order to have all views considered and any changes made

What is the white paper

This is the stage after the green paper

These are the firm proposals for the new law, however the government can be criticised for responding in a ‘knee jerk’ fashion to incidents, resulting in a rushed law

What is a case for white paper

Dangerous dogs act 1991

What is a bill

A proposed law that makes its way through parliament

How many types of bill are there

3

What are the types of bill

Public bill, private bill, private members bill

What is a public bill

Most frequent type of bill - most government bills are public

What is an example of a public bill

Constitutional reform act 2005 or equality act 2010

What is an example of a private bill

University college act 1996

What is a private members bill

A bill introduced and sponsored by individual MPs. Theyre selected in groups of 20 to take turns in presenting their bills to parliament. The time for debate is limited

What is an example of a private members bill

Abortion act 1967

Marriage act 1994

How many stages are there in the legislative process

7

What are the 7 stages in the legislative process

First reading, second reading, committee stage, report stage, third reading, passing of bill to other house, royal assent

What happens in the first reading

Formal procedure where the aims and name of the bill are read out - no discussion/vote

What happens in the second reading

Main debate of the whole bill. Debated in detail, members discuss the purpose + evaluate for/against. They vote to determinenif it goes through further scrutiny

What happens in the committee stage

Detailed scrutiny of the bill. In the commons a committee of 16-50 MPs examine the bill. Those in the committee have special interest in the subject of the bill. For money related bills, the whole house sits in the committee. In the HOL, the lords all sit around and examine the, bill which can be amended

What happens in the report stage

This occurs in the commons; the committee reports back an additions/amendments made by them. Amendments are debated then accepted/rejected