HE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS Starter Activity Write down your

HE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS Starter Activity Write down your answers to the following questions; 1. Name the two chambers of parliament 2. Who can be part of the legislative and ex branch? 3. Name and explain at least 3 roles of an M

Learning Objectives • To understand key terms and vocabulary related to the legislative process • To identify and explain the different stages in the legislative process • To assess the necessity of each stage of the legislative process

How a law is made in the UK

Activity For a bill to become a law there are 7 stages it must go through in parliament. Each person or pair will be given one stage of the process. You must speak to the other groups in the room to decide where your stage comes in the process. Once you have decided as a group where your stage comes you need to stand in the order you think is correct.

How laws are passed… A government bill has to go through the following parliamentary stages; Preparatory stages First reading Second reading Committee stage Report stage Third reading The ‘other place’

Preparatory stages • Before bills are passed, their provisions may have been outlined in a White Paper or a Green Paper. • Since 2002, most government bills have been published in draft for what is called pre-legislative scrutiny, which is carried out by select committees. A consultative document that usually outlines a range of legislative options. A statement of policy by the government outlined in terms of legislative proposals.

First reading • The bill is introduced to Parliament through the formal reading of its title and (usually) the setting of a date for its second reading. • The first reading can take place at any time during a parliamentary session • There is no debate or vote at this stage.

Second reading • This is the first substantive stage. • It involves a full debate that considers the principles of (rather than the details) of the bill. • It is the first stage at which the bill can be defeated.

Committee stage • This is when the details of the bill are considered line by line. • It is carried out by a public bill committee (formerly known as a standing committee) consisting of about 18 MPs, but it may be considered by a Committee of the Whole House. • Most amendments are made at this stage, and new provisions can be included.

Pause for thought… Public Bill Committee • A Public Bill Committee is a committee set up by the House of Commons to consider the details of a particular Bill. • All Bills, other than Money Bills, are automatically sent to a Public Bill Committee following their second reading unless they are committed to a committee of the Whole House. • Public Bill Committees only last for the duration of the Bill concerned. • The composition of the committees must match the size of the parties in the House. • If a party has 60% of the seats in the Commons then the party will have 60% of the membership of the Public Bill Committee. • Public Bill Committees can, like a Select Committee, take oral evidence as part of its scrutiny of the Bill.

Report stage • This is when the committee reports back to the full House of Commons on any changes made during the committee stage. • The Commons may amend or reverse changes at the report stage.

Third reading • This replicates the second reading in that it is a debate of the full chamber, enabling the House to take an overview of the bill in its amended state. • No amendments may be made at this stage, and it is very unusual for bills to be defeated at the third reading.

The ‘other place’ • Major bills are considered first by the Commons, but other bills may start in the Lords. • Once passed by one chamber, the bill goes through essentially the same process in what is referred to as the ‘other place’, before finally going to the monarch for the Royal Assent.

Is each stage essential? a) Which stage is important to the least extent? b) Which stage is important to the greatest extent? c) What are the advantages of so many stages? Explain and support your answer thoroughly. Challenge Question If you were to change the legislative process what would it look like? What stages would you keep? Why? Would you add in anything additional? Why? How would you ensure scrutiny?

The Legislative Process for Dummies Create a typed A 4 Dummies’ Guide to the Legislative Process covering the following; • Why are new laws needed? • Draft Bills • Passage of a Bill • Acts • Delegated legislation • The Parliament Acts http: //www. parliament. uk/about/how/laws/

The Hunt for Examples • In exam answers you will be expected to illustrate your answers with contemporary examples. • Find examples for each of the sections of your Dummies’ Guide. • Compile a table of examples and add it to your Dummies’ Guide. http: //www. parliament. uk/business/bills-and-legislation/ Example Section 1. Why are new laws needed? 2. Draft Bills 3. Bills Human Rights Act 1998 (not very recent though) Draft Detention of Terrorist Suspects (Temporary Extension) Bills February 2011 Alcohol Marketing Bill October 2011 4. Passage of a Bill 5. Acts 6. Delegated Legislation 7. The Parliament Acts Education Act 2011 The Tax Credits Act 2002, order 2011 Fixed-term Parliament Act 2011

Exit Ticket • On the post it note you have been given, • Write down the definitions of a green paper and a white paper

Preparator y stages

First Reading

Second Reading

Committee Stage

Report Stage

Third Reading

The ‘Other’ Place