bill introduction

• What is a government bill?

  Introduced by the government. For example, Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015.
• What is a private member's bill?

  Introduced by a private MP e.g. Abortion Act 1967.
• what is a public bill?

  Most Bills introduced into Parliament involve matters of public policy which will affect either the whole country or a large section of it. Most government Bills are in this category e.g. the Legal Aid, Sentencing & Punishment Act 2012.
• what is a private bill?

  A small number of Bills are designed to pass a law which will only individual people or corporations; they don't affect the whole community e.g. Faversham Oyster Fishery Company Bill 2016.
• What is a hybrid bill?

  These are a cross between public and private Bills. They are introduced by the government but only affects an organisation, person or place e.g. various Crossrail Acts.
• What are the 2 ways in which Private MPs can introduce a bill?

  Ballot or 10-minute rule
• How do private MPs introduce a bill by ballot?

  20 private members are selected who can take turns in presenting a bill to Parliament. The MPs time to debate is limited (usually debated on Fridays) so only the first 6 members have a realistic chance of introducing a bill.
• How do private MPs introduce a bill by 10-minute rule?

  Any MP can make a speech of up to 10 minutes supporting the introduction of new legislation. This method is rarely successful unless there is no opposition to the bill.
• How is major legislation usually made?

  Through Acts of Parliaments, also known as statutes.
• How are most Acts of Parliaments introduced?

  Most are introduced by the government and are initially drafted by the parliamentary counsel to the Treasury.
• Which body gives instructions as to what is to be included and the intended effect of the new law?

  The government department which is responsible for the new law.
• What is the "Bill stage" in the legislative process/

  Where when the proposed Act has been drafted and it's published.
• In the "Bill stage", when does a Bill become an Act?

  If it successfully completes all necessary stages in Parliament and receives Royal Assent.
• Where a Bill is put forward by the government, who introduces it to Parliament?

  A government minister.
• Why are there difficulties in the Bill stage?

  The draftsmen face problems trying to frame the Bill.
• Why do draftsmen face problems in trying to frame the Bill?

  It has to be drawn up so that it represents the government's wishes while using correct legal wording and remaining unambiguous, precise, and comprehensive. It's difficult to achieve all of these things.
• Why is there pressure on time in the Bill stage?

  The government usually have a timetable of when they wish to introduce the Bill to Parliament.
• Other than the government, who else can introduce Bills to Parliament?

  Individual private members of Parliament (MPs). These are MPs who are not government ministers and who are from any political party.
• Are private member's Bills successful in creating law?

  Few private members' Bills became law, but there have been some important laws passed because of such Bills e.g. the Abortion Act 1967 which legalised abortion in the UK.