Parliamentary law making

Need to know

What you need to know

• Green Papers are consultation documents; White Papers are firm proposals.
• A Bill is a draft law before it passes through Parliament.
• Public Bills affect the whole country and can be Government Bills or Private Members' Bills.
• Private Bills affect specific persons or places, e.g., a bill for a new railway line.
• Hybrid Bills have characteristics of both Public and Private Bills, affecting the general public but also specific private interests.

Explanation

Parliamentary law making

1. Green Papers are consultation documents; White Papers are firm proposals.
2. A Bill is a draft law before it passes through Parliament.
3. Public Bills affect the whole country and can be Government Bills or Private Members' Bills.
4. Private Bills affect specific persons or places, e.g., a bill for a new railway line.