Chapter II P arliament

1. Basic features: A. The British Parliament consists of three elements: the Crown, the House of Lords, the House of Commons. B. The official head of Parliament is the Queen. C. The British Parliament is often referred to as “the legislature”. I. Introduction

D. The life of Parliament is fixed at five years. E. Parliament is a corporate body and can’t legislate without the concurrence of all its elements. F. The House of Lords and the House of Commons share the same building of the Palace. G. The House of Commons also authorizes the payment of sums of money and the taxes.

II. The Process of Law-making in Britain When a bill is proposed, it first begins in the House of Commons for “ three readings ”. If the Commons and and Lords pass it, it must finally go to the Queen for her signature.

III. The House of Lords 1. History: A. The House of Lords is the oldest part of Parliament, it evolved from a council. B. In 1215 King John signed the Magna Carta and gave some of his powers to the nobles. C. The 1688 “Glorious Revolution” established its status as part of the English Parliament through compromise with the House of Commons.

2. Features: A. The House of Lords is largely a historical relic, the lords still keep their title and even have many of their ancient privileges.lords B. The House of Lords meets on three afternoons each week, but their timetable is less crowded.

3. Functions: A. Theoretically the House of Lords is equal in power with the House of Commons except in matters of taxation and expenditure. B. No bill of Parliament can become law unless the House of Lords has been consulted. C. The House of Lords has no power to prevent the passing of legislation approved by the House of Commons. D. The House of Lords seems to be useless.

IV. The House of Commons 1. Features: A. It is also known as the Lower House where the real power lies. B. The members of the House of Commons are not appointed, but elected at the present time. C. The head of the House of Commons is the Speaker or President of the Chamber, who is chosen by a vote of the House. He is very influential next to the Prime Minister with a lot of functions.

D. The Commons use the northern part of the Palace of Westminster E. The shape and arrangement suggest a two-party system. F. The House of Commons is divided in the light of political parties. The stronger party forms the Government and the weaker the opposition.the weaker the opposition G. The quorum in the House of Commons is forty members.

2. Functions: A. Many bills are initiated by the Cabinet nowadays in the House of Commons. B. The members of stronger party in the House of Commons are law makers. C. The House of Commons can discuss “what the Government has done, is doing and intends to do.”. D. Members of the Commons may urge the Government to act more quickly or less quickly and are constantly looking for ways of improvement.

3. Question Time It is about an hour, every day, in which Members are given a chance to ask questions, and Ministers answer the questions one by one. Question Time is the most widely known and the procedural device of the British House of Commons is admired by many other countries.

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Ranks of the Lords Duke and Duchess Marquis and Marquise Earl and Countess Viscount and Viscountess Baron and Baroness Back

Opposition The weaker party in the House of Commons forms the Opposition. The Opposition criticizes government policy, suggests government policy, suggests amendments and points out other matters which the Government might ignore. BACK