Law making by parliament

• Law commissions influence 


  Report- government-bill

  • Set up in 1965 by the law commission act
  • 5 well qualified and experienced lawyers- Chairman Peter Fraser

  Influence:

  1. Codifying the law- law of murder and homicide 2006
  2. Consolidating- Education Act- 1996
  3. Repeal - old obsolete
  4. Propose changes- Computer misuse act 1990
  5. Investigate referrals
• What is the purpose of a green paper in the law-making process?


  Draft sent to MPs or experts for review
• What is the purpose of a white paper in the law-making process?


  Second draft sent to experts before parliament
• What happens during the 1st reading in the law-making process?


  Name of the act is called and handed out
• What occurs during the 2nd reading in the law-making process?


  First debate and first vote on the act
• What is the committee stage in the law-making process?


  Standing, select, and committee of the whole house
• What happens during the report stage in the law-making process?

  Second vote and debate on the act
• What occurs during the 3rd reading in the law-making process?

  Final chance to debate and vote
• What is the role of the House of Lords (HOL) in the law-making process?


  Same stages, can delay for a year
• What is the final step in the law-making process?


  Royal assent
• Why is the committee stage important in the law-making process?


  It involves detailed scrutiny by various committees
• Why can the House of Lords only delay a bill for a year?

  Due to the Parliament Act 1949
• If a bill passes the 3rd reading in the House of Commons, what is the next step?


  It goes to the House of Lords
• How does the role of the House of Lords differ from the House of Commons in the law-making process?

  HOL can delay but not veto, Commons has final say
• What are the stages of the law-making process in Parliament?

  1. 1st reading: Name called and handed out
  2. 2nd reading: First debate and vote
  3. Committee stage: Detailed scrutiny by committees
  4. Report stage: Second vote and debate
  5. 3rd reading: Final debate and vote
  6. House of Lords: Same stages, can delay for a year
  7. Royal assent: Final approval
• What are the differences between green and white papers?

  • Green paper: Initial draft sent to MPs or experts
  • White paper: Second draft sent to experts before parliament
• What are the key roles of the House of Lords in the law-making process?

  • Reviews and debates bills
  • Can suggest amendments
  • Can delay bills for up to a year
  • Cannot veto bills due to Parliament Act 1949
• What are the key roles of the House of Commons in the law-making process?

  • Introduces and debates bills
  • Votes on bills
  • Has the final say in passing bills
  • Can override House of Lords' delay
• What is the significance of royal assent in the law-making process?

  • Final step in the law-making process
  • Formal approval by the monarch
  • Turns a bill into an act of parliament
• What is the Parliament Act 1949 and its significance?

  • Limits the House of Lords' power to delay bills
  • Restricts delay to a maximum of one year
  • Ensures the House of Commons has the final say
• Pressure groups influence 


  • Can be any size and follow range of methods- letters to violence, most effective with the media

  1. Sectional pressure groups- represent a section of society, have more members and money and electoral support, and direct access to MP's- Health Bill (2007)
  2. Cause pressure groups- Represent beliefs and ideas, have less money and electoral support and therefore less MP access but have more media and public support- 'Sarah's law', Animal welfare act 2006
• Political pressure influence


  1. Political parties produce a manifesto- State opening of parliament, they are expected to get these things done- Eu Referendum Act 2015
  2. Response to events- Dangerous dogs Act 1991, Post Office scandal
  3. Past membership of the EU- Consumer protection Act 1987, EU Communities Act 1972
  4. Private member bills- Abortion Act 1967
• Media influence 


  • Can be Tv, Radio, Newspapers, Magazines and the internet

  1. Media has great control over how people think - public opinion= parliament action- Sun 1992
  2. Enables two-way communication between the public and the government
  3. Newspaper- Sarah's law, Dunblane Massacre
  4. Gove don't like criticism- act upon news reports
• Evaluation of the Law making process 


  • MP's elected by the people- but may ignore constituents
  • Very detailed process- could be too slow
  • Lords have to be consulted- they are unelected
  • Private members bills- randomly selected, around 150 each year only around 7 become law