Task 1. Read a lecture on the legislative process, translate it and answer the questions

The process of legislation proper begins with the formal introduction of the Bill into the legislative machine. This is known as the 1st reading. The 1st reading is an entirely formal stage in the progress of the Bill: the title of the Bill is simply read out and a future date chosen for the 2nd reading of the Bill which is then printed. It is generally felt advisable to leave a gap of around 2 weeks between the two readings to allow, amongst other things, the opposition parties to finalise criticisms on the precise terms of the proposed legislation. The 2nd reading consists first of all in a wide-ranging debate focusing on the guiding principles behind the Bill - the basic reasons why the government feels it needs to be introduced. A vote is taken. Short of a back-bench rebellion, the Government can count on an almost 100 per cent success rate due to its majority in Parliament. Should the vote be lost then the Bill is thrown out. At crucial votes of this sort, Whips will be active to make sure that enough support is drummed up to guarantee the Bill a safe passage.

If the vote is in favour, the Bill will receive its 2nd reading and will subsequently be sent into committee for closer scrutiny. If the second reading of the Bill has centred on a consideration of the basic principles behind the Bill, the committee stage gets down to the nitty-gritty and goes through the text of the Bill in the closest of detail. It is at this stage that it is possible to introduce amendments. Each clause is voted into the Bill separately after minute discussion.

The usual procedure in the Commons is that the Bill will be examined away from the floor of the House in one of the committee rooms by what is called a 'standing committee'. Surprisingly enough, this is not a permanent body; a different standing committee is put together for each new Bill. The choice of members of standing committees is made on the basis of several criteria: their party allegiance in the area concerned by the Bill, their knowledge in that specific field, or their personal interest. The weighting of the various parties inside committee is done in such a way as to reflect the proportions of the parties in terms of seats in the Commons itself. The committee therefore becomes a kind of microcosm of the House as a whole. With regard to time spent in committee, this varies enormously according to the complexity of the Bill and whether or not it raises controversial issues.

The chairman of the committee then presents the results of the committee's work before Parliament in what is known as the 'report stage'. This re-entry on to the floor of the House gives the other Members of Parliament the chance to look into the decisions of the committee. A vote is taken on the Bill as reported to the House by the committee as well as on amendments selected by the Speaker and introduced during the debates.

The final stage, at least as far as the lower House is concerned, comes in the form of the 3rd reading. A general debate takes place and a final vote is taken. In general, this is a purely formal affair. When the motion 'that the Bill do now pass' is adopted, the Bill is said to have passed the Commons. It is immediately sent to the Lords where it starts a roughly similar journey with a purely formal 1st reading, extensive debate on the 2nd reading, close examination in committee and further debate on the report stage and at the 3rd reading. The main difference with Commons' procedure is that in practically all cases the Lords consider Bills during the committee stage in what is known as a 'committing of the whole House' which, as its name implies, involves detailed examination of the Bill on the floor of the House as opposed to in committee. Should there be any disagreement by the Lords on the text of the Bill they may introduce amendments at this stage. These amendments will shuttle back and forth between the Lords and the Commons until agreement is reached. Once such agreement is reached, the Bill is ready to receive the royal assent and become an Act of Parliament.

 

1. What kinds of Bills start their life in the House of Commons?

2. How would you define a Public Bill?

3. What are the differences between a Government Bill and a Private Member's Bill?

4. Why does government-backed legislation take precedence over all legislation?

5. Who is consulted during the preparatory stages of legislation?

6. How long does it take to complete the preparatory stages?