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9084 · 1.1.2

Parliamentary law making — practice questions

Practice and worked examples for 9084 Parliamentary law making. Short previews only — attempt the full question in MarkScheme against the official scheme.

Worked example 1

Describe the stages a public bill passes through to become an Act. [10 marks]

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Commons: (1) First reading — formal introduction, no debate. (2) Second reading — principle debated and voted on. (3) Committee stage — detailed scrutiny/amendments (Public Bill Committee or Committee of Whole House). (4) Report stage — further amendments. (5) Third reading — final vote on amended bill.

Lords: Same stages repeated (order may vary for money bills).

Ping-pong: If Houses disagree, amendments shuttle between them.

Royal Assent: Bill becomes Act — may need commencement order to come into force.

Evaluation point: House of Lords can delay (Parliament Acts limit for money/public bills).

Worked example 2

A non-money Public Bill, the 'Digital Services Bill', is introduced in the House of Commons on 15th January 2024. It passes its second reading in the Commons on 1st March 2024 and its third reading on 10th June 2024. The House of Lords rejects the Bill at its second reading on 20th September 2024. The government is determined to pass the Bill. Using the Parliament Acts 1911 and 1949, explain the procedure the government must follow and calculate the earliest date the Bill could receive Royal Assent without the Lords' consent. [10 marks]

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1. Identify the Relevant Law: The Parliament Acts 1911 and 1949 provide a mechanism for the elected House of Commons to override the unelected House of Lords' veto on most legislation.

2. State the Procedure: For a non-money bill to be passed without the Lords' consent, it must be passed by the Commons in two successive parliamentary sessions. Crucially, there must be a minimum of one year between the date of the Bill's second reading in the Commons in the first session and the date it passes its third reading in the Commons in the second session.

3. Step-by-Step Application & Calculation:

  • Session 1: The Digital Services Bill passed its second reading in the Commons on 1st March 2024. It was later rejected by the Lords.
  • Session 2: The government must reintroduce the identical Bill in the next parliamentary session (e.g., starting November 2024) and pass it through all Commons stages again.
  • Calculation: To use the Parliament Acts, the Bill's third reading in the Commons in this second session cannot occur before one year has passed since the second reading in the first session.
    • Date of Second Reading (Session 1): 1st March 2024
    • Add one year: + 1 year
    • Minimum Date for Third Reading (Session 2): 1st March 2025

4. Final Answer: The earliest the Bill could pass its third reading in the Commons for the second time is 1st March 2025. It could then be sent for Royal Assent immediately, bypassing the Lords. Therefore, the earliest the Bill could become an Act of Parliament is early March 2025.

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