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

  1. Green paper
  1. White paper
  1. Bill introduced to HC - first reading
  1. Second reading
  1. Committee stage
  1. Report stage
  1. Debate + vote
  1. Third reading
  1. Bill introduced to HL
  1. Can be Parliamentary 'ping pong' / HC can force through
  1. 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