Legislative Process

Question 1

Through which two documents, are bills proposed ?

Answer 1

• Green Paper
• White Paper

Question 2

What is the purpose of “green paper” ?

Answer 2

A consultation document which used to propose ideas for new laws and invite feedback.

Question 3

What is the purpose of “white paper” ?

Answer 3

A firm policy statement which sets out the government’s official plans for a proposed law - this usually leads to a Bill being drafted and introduced in Parliament.

Question 4

What are the eight stages, of passing legislation ?

Answer 4

-First reading
-Second Reading
-Committee stage
-Report stage
-Third reading
-Other House
-Royal Ascent
-Commencement

Question 5

What is the “first reading” ?

Answer 5

The first stage where the name of the Bill and its main aims are read out to the House (generally the Commons first). There is no discussion about the Bill until later, but there is a vote to decide whether the Bill can go any further.

Question 6

What is the “second reading” ?

Answer 6

The main debate takes place with the MPs debating the main principles of the Bill. The Minister responsible for the Bill initially explains its purpose to the House and the
opposition spokesperson responds. A debate then ensues. But if the Bill is on an issue that is routine and not controversial, this stage can be dealt with
by a Second Reading Committee. A vote must take place to allow the Bill to proceed.

Question 7

What is the “committee stage” ?

Answer 7

The Bill is now examined clause by clause (the smaller details) . A Standing Committee is set up to do this which consists of 16-50 MPs with interest/knowledge in the topic. The members of the Committee are from
both parties, but the majority will be from the Government of the day. Amendments are proposed by the Committee which will not necessarily be accepted by the
House. If the Bill concerns finance, the whole House will sit in Committee.

Question 8

What is the “report stage” ?

Answer 8

At this stage any amendments are reported back to the House. The House can then debate them, accept or reject them, or add further amendments.

Question 9

What is the third reading ?

Answer 9

This formal stage allows for a final vote to be taken on the Bill. It is unlikely for it to fail at the stage and essentially a further debate will only take place if at least six MPs request so. No changes can be made to the Bill except to correct
spelling, grammar, etc.

Question 9

What the “other house” (ping pong) stage ?

Answer 9

The bill will now go to the other house (if it started in the HoC it will go to the HoL) and the other house must pass the bill through the same stages.
Any amendments they make will be passed back to the HoC to consider.
HoC can accept/reject the amendments and send the bill back. This is called ‘ping-pong’ until both Houses agree.

Question 10

What is royal assent ?

Answer 10

Finally, the Monarch approves the Bill, but this is a mere formality since they do not even have the full text of the Bill. The Monarch will not disagree with or reject the Bill - the last time a Monarch rejected a Bill was in 1707
when Queen Anne refused the Scottish Militia Bill.

Question 11

What is commencement ?

Answer 11

Bill is confirmed and put into place, taking place on midnight of the day Royal Assent is given or on a date stated in the Act.