Legislative Process

• What is a bill before it becomes law?

  A bill
• What is a bill called once it is passed by Parliament?

  An Act
• What are the stages of a bill becoming an Act of Parliament?

  1. Initial stage: Draft Bills issued for consultation
  2. First reading: Bill introduced with no debate
  3. Second reading: Full debate on bill details
  4. Committee stage: Detailed consideration by a committee
  5. Report stage: Committee reports findings and amendments
  6. Third reading: Final debate with no amendments
  7. The second chamber: Process repeats in House of Lords
  8. Royal Assent: Monarch grants approval for law
• What are Draft Bills used for?

  Consultation before formal introduction
• Who usually creates Draft Bills?

  The Government
• What is the role of select committees in the legislative process?

  Examine Draft Bills
• What happens during the first reading of a bill?

  The bill is introduced with no debate
• What is the difference between White Papers and Green Papers?

  White Papers are specific, Green Papers are general
• What occurs during the second reading of a bill?

  A full debate takes place
• What is the purpose of the committee stage in the legislative process?

  To consider the bill in detail and make amendments
• Who makes up the public bill committee?

  Around 18 MPs
• What happens during the report stage of a bill?

  The committee reports findings and amendments
• What occurs during the third reading of a bill?

  Another full debate, no amendments allowed
• What happens after a bill is passed by the Commons?

  The same process occurs in the House of Lords
• What is Royal Assent?

  Monarch's approval for a bill to become law
• What are Public Bills?

  Bills proposed by the government
• What are Private Members' Bills?

  Bills introduced by non-government MPs or Lords
• Why do Private Members' Bills have a lower success rate?

  Less time allocated for their consideration
• How do the Commons and Lords interact during the legislative process?

  • Lords propose amendments for Commons' consideration
  • Commons can adapt or reject amendments
  • Process may lead to 'ping-pong' between chambers
  • Lords can delay bills but Commons takes priority
  • Exceptions: manifesto bills and money bills
• What is the Salisbury convention?

  Exceptions for manifesto bills from delays
• How can coalition governments affect the Salisbury convention?

  Manifesto commitments may be amended or abandoned
• What was the 2015 exception regarding tax credits?

  Lords voted to delay proposed government cuts
• What raised constitutional issues in 2015 regarding tax credits?

  The Lords' vote to delay government cuts