Message Forum: Re: Questions about British Government

Re: Questions about British Government

Posted By: Zarniwoop, on host 194.117.133.118
Date: Saturday, March 23, 2002, at 16:27:19
In Reply To: Questions about British Government posted by TOM on Saturday, March 23, 2002, at 13:55:01:

> 2) Am I correct in saying that seats in the House of Lords are hereditary like property and wealth are?

Some are, some aren't. All the hereditary peers lost their voting rights some years ago. However, the bishops still hold voting rights, and so do the Law Lords, who form the Appeal Court.

> 3) Other than method of appointment/election, what exactly *are* the differences between the House of Commons, and that of Lords? Do they have separate powers? What are they?

No member of the House of Lords may pass beyond the Bar of the House of Commons, however, MPs are free to go where they choose. The House of Commons is the important place, basically. There are two types of Bill - public and private members' Bills. Private member's bills are introduced to the House by the Opposition, and are only debated on Fridays, as opposed to Public Member's Bills. After introduction, there follows a stage of committees, then further debate, and more committees, then a final reading and then the bill is voted on. If it wins, it goes to the Lords. If it loses, it's thrown out completely.

Once a bill gets to the Lords, the process is more or less the same. Committees, debates, final readings, and a vote. If it succeeds, it goes on and gets the Royal Assent. If it fails, the Commons debate it again. If they pass it again, it goes back to the Lords. (It may have been revised by this time) If the Lords accept it this time, it goes through. If not, the Government has several options. It can debate again, it can drop the Bill (and maybe re-introduce it later) or they can invoke the Parliament Act. The Parliament Act allows any Bill passed by the Commons twice to bypass the Lords and become law in one year.

> I find it frustrating that such simple questions are not really explained in our book. For what it's worth, most of the chapter is about the prime minister, and about policymaking. Very little about how Parliament actually works.
>
> The Other "Many thanks for any help any one gives" Matthew

Zarn"it's always good to have more than one source of information"iwoop

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Message:	> > 2) Am I correct in saying that seats in the House of Lords are hereditary like property and wealth are? > > Some are, some aren't. All the hereditary peers lost their voting rights some years ago. However, the bishops still hold voting rights, and so do the Law Lords, who form the Appeal Court. > > > 3) Other than method of appointment/election, what exactly are the differences between the House of Commons, and that of Lords? Do they have separate powers? What are they? > > No member of the House of Lords may pass beyond the Bar of the House of Commons, however, MPs are free to go where they choose. The House of Commons is the important place, basically. There are two types of Bill - public and private members' Bills. Private member's bills are introduced to the House by the Opposition, and are only debated on Fridays, as opposed to Public Member's Bills. After introduction, there follows a stage of committees, then further debate, and more committees, then a final reading and then the bill is voted on. If it wins, it goes to the Lords. If it loses, it's thrown out completely. > > Once a bill gets to the Lords, the process is more or less the same. Committees, debates, final readings, and a vote. If it succeeds, it goes on and gets the Royal Assent. If it fails, the Commons debate it again. If they pass it again, it goes back to the Lords. (It may have been revised by this time) If the Lords accept it this time, it goes through. If not, the Government has several options. It can debate again, it can drop the Bill (and maybe re-introduce it later) or they can invoke the Parliament Act. The Parliament Act allows any Bill passed by the Commons twice to bypass the Lords and become law in one year. > > > I find it frustrating that such simple questions are not really explained in our book. For what it's worth, most of the chapter is about the prime minister, and about policymaking. Very little about how Parliament actually works. > > > > The Other "Many thanks for any help any one gives" Matthew > > Zarn"it's always good to have more than one source of information"iwoop
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