Parliamentary Law Making - Parliamentary Process
Second Reading
the second reading of the bill is where the major debate takes place with MPs offering amendments
a vote is taken at the end
Committee Stage
where a committee of MPs considers the bill in great detail
if the committee has recommendations to make it reports to the HC and there is a debate and a vote
the third reading is usually a formality
House of Lords
First Reading
most, but not all, bills are introduced in the Commons where the bill is given its first reading
this is just the reading of the title and is a formal process
the bill is then sent to HL where the entire process is repeated
if the bill is voted down or amended, it has to return to the Commons and will be sent back and forth until a resolution is reached (ping pong Parliament)
as the Lords has fewer powers, it cannot delay a bill for more than one Parliamentary session
if the Commons is unwilling to back down it can force through a bill without the Lords' consent
e.g. 🏴 Hunting Act 2004
Royal Assent
the final part is to gain royal assent
by convention the monarch cannot refuse this
the bill will become an Act and will be law at midnight on the day it receives Royal Assent
unless the Act provides that a later commencement order will being it into force
Stages in Order
- Green paper
- White paper
- Bill introduced to HC - first reading
- Second reading
- Committee stage
- Report stage
- Debate + vote
- Third reading
- Bill introduced to HL
- Can be Parliamentary 'ping pong' / HC can force through
- Royal assent
Green Paper
White Paper
issued for major new pieces of legislation
issued by the gov. minister with responsibility for the area in which a change to the law is being considered
e.g. Minister of State for Housing and Planning
it is a consultation document inviting comments from interested parties
e.g. for health = doctors, nurses, surgeons, religious groups etc.
published following a green paper
this shows the firm proposals resulting fro the previous consultation process and may include a draft bill
can set out different sections