Parliamentary law making

• What is the first step in the parliamentary law-making process after a General Election?

  The Monarch delivers a speech in Parliament outlining the Government's intentions.
• What is a proposal for a law called in parliamentary procedure?


  A proposal for a law is known as a 'Bill'.
• What are the two stages of consultation before a Bill is introduced in Parliament?


  • Green Paper: A consultation paper stating the Government's intentions without details.
  • White Paper: A firmer proposal with a draft copy of the law being proposed.
• What does a Green Paper represent in the legislative process?


  A Green Paper is a consultation paper stating the Government's intentions.
• What is the purpose of a White Paper in the legislative process?


  A White Paper contains a firmer proposal and a draft copy of the law being proposed.
• What are the types of Bills in the parliamentary law-making process?


  • Public Bill: Introduced by the government affecting everyone.
  • Private Members Bill: Introduced by a single MP, often on moral issues.
  • Private Bill: Promoted by organizations for specific powers.
  • Hybrid Bill: A mix of public and private bills affecting the general public.
  • Money Bill: Relates to taxation and introduced after the budget.
• What is a Public Bill?


  A Public Bill is introduced by the government and affects everyone in the country.
• What is a Private Members Bill and its typical success rate?


  A Private Members Bill is introduced by a single MP and rarely passes without government support.
• What is the main purpose of a Private Bill?


  A Private Bill is usually promoted by organizations to give themselves specific powers.
• What distinguishes a Hybrid Bill from other types of Bills?


  A Hybrid Bill is a mix of public and private bills that likely affects the general public.
• What is a Money Bill?


  A Money Bill relates to taxation and is generally introduced after the budget.
• What are the stages a Bill goes through to become law?


  1. First Reading: Title and aims announced, date set for second reading.
  2. Second Reading: House debates the bill and votes.
  3. Committee Stage: Bill scrutinized line by line by a standing committee.
  4. Report Stage: Amendments reported back and debated.
  5. Third Reading: Review of the whole bill and vote.
  6. Moves to other House: Bill goes through the same stages in the other house.
  7. Royal Assent: Bill signed by the Monarch to become law.
• What happens during the First Reading of a Bill?


  The title and main aims of the bill are announced, and a date is set for the second reading.
• What is the focus of the Second Reading of a Bill?


  The House debates the whole bill, focusing on its main principles.
• What occurs during the Committee Stage of a Bill?


  The Bill is scrutinized line by line by a standing committee, making necessary amendments.
• What is the purpose of the Report Stage in the legislative process?


  The Standing Committee reports amendments back to the whole House for debate and voting.
• What happens during the Third Reading of a Bill?


  It is a review of the whole bill, and a vote is taken to decide if it should proceed to the other House.
• What is the role of the other House in the legislative process?


  The other House reviews the bill and goes through the same stages again.
• What power does the House of Lords have regarding a Bill?


  The House of Lords can only delay a bill and cannot veto it.
• What is Royal Assent in the legislative process?


  Royal Assent is the formal approval by the Monarch required for a bill to become law.