Law making

• Green paper

  Consultative document issued by government, proposing legislation
• White paper

  Document declaring government decision on reform, firm proposals
• First reading

  Parliament, none of bill disclosed - no voting here
• Second reading


  Main debate about main principles, voting - majority
• Committee stage

  1. Examination of each part of bill

  2. Report stage: report back any amendments which have been made, amended debated
• Third reading

  Final vote on bill
• Royal assent

  Monarch gives approval
• Types of bill

  • Private members' bill - MP's can introduce through ballot or 10 minute speech
  • Public bill - will affect the population, or Church of England
  • Hybrid bill - mix of public and private, brought by government - affect person or organisation
• Advantages of law making

  • Made by elected representatives which follow democratic values
  • Can do delegated legislation
• Disadvantages of law making

  • Time-consuming, months, long complex, difficult to understand
  • May be used
• Influences on parliament

  • Political: manifestos, so people know how used
  • Public opinion/media: government may bow to public opinion, able to criticise government
  • Pressure groups: make government reconsider
  • Law reform bodies: consider what reform necessary
  • Consultation: whole issue considered, not always implemented, lack of time to take on board