- Parliament have a number of functions which include: legislation, scrutiny and accountability, debates, recruitment and ministers and representation.
How
Is Parliamentary Sovereignty Under Threat?
- PS is where Parliament have absolute power, but it has come under pressure from constitutional reforms including: devolution, referendums, human rights and the EU.
Stages
Of Passing A Bill:
In
the HOCs: First reading second
reading committee
stage
report stage third
reading
Goes to the HOLs where the same happens above consideration
of amendmentsRoyal
Assent
3
Routes Of A Private Members Bill:
- Ballot: Names of those who want the bill go into a draw and MPs seek help from lobbyists to get the bill popular. These usually don’t get any further than this unless they have popular support.
- Ten Minute Rule Bill: MPs have 10 minutes to make a speech to introduce the bill or to talk about an aspect of the bill, few get past this stage because 10 minutes is not enough
- Presentation: MPs present a bill on the floor of the house by introducing the name of the bill.
What
Is Secondary Legislation:
- Also knows as delegation it is when laws are made by ministers who have been granted the authority by an act of Parliament rather than a law made by Parliament. These are usually done by taxation and immigration.
How
Does The Government Dominate Parliament Business:
- Government bills: Most bills are from the government; private member bills have little chance of success.
- Parliamentary Timetable: Government controls much of the timetable in Parliament and use a ‘guillotine motion’ to cut the time available.
- Payroll Vote: Because government members are paid, if they don’t vote in favour of the government they can get sacked or have their job role taken away or they may not get paid so they usually vote in favour of the government.
- Party Discipline: The whip ensures that the government proposals are rarely defeated and amendments are accepted.