The main functions of the Br. P-t, the process of passing a bill.

P-t can make, unmake or alter any law. The main functions of P-t are as follows: to pass laws, to provide the means of carrying on the work of Government (G-t), to control the G-t policy & administration, to debate the most important political issues of the day. Nevertheless, the principal duty of P-t is legislation, making laws. In the past legislation was initiated from both sides of the House: from the G-t & from the Opposition. But in present-day practice almost all bills are brought forward by the G-t in power. Bills may be introduced in either House: the H of L & the H of C, unless they deal with finance, taxation & representation, when they are always introduced in Commons. Bill must go through all the necessary stages in both Houses & the Queen must signify her approval (which is a formality).

The process of passing a bill is the same in the H of L & in the H of C. On introduction the bill receives a formal First Reading; the bill is not yet printed. After a period of time, which varies btw one & several weeks, depending on the nature of the bill, it may be given a Second Reading as a result of a debate on its general merits or principles. It’s now printed & published. Then a committee stage comes. A committee of MPs thoroughly studies the details of the bill & votes on changes to parts of the bill. When this stage is finished the bill is formally reported to the House by the Chairman of the committee & further debate takes place. Finally the bill is submitted for a Third Reading. The bill is reviewed in its final form. If passed, it’s sent on from the Commons to the Lords or vice versa, depending on its place of origin, where it enters on the same course again. All bills which have passed through their parliamentary stages are sent to the Sovereign for Royal Assent (approval), which is automatically given by Royal Committee. After this the bill becomes law & is known as an Act of P-t. The Royal Assent has not been refused since the time of Queen Anne (1702 -1714).

Devolution – the act of giving power from a national government to a group or organisation at a lower or more local level. Devolution in the UK means decentralisation or shifting the responsibility from Parliament in London to local parliaments in S, W & NI.

The Labour Party came to power in 1997 w/proposals for parliament in S, assemblies in W & NI.

The Scottish Parliament:

The Referendum of 1997 in S => the Scottish supported the idea of devolution; The S Act of 1998 provided for the establishment of the Scottish Parliament; 1999 – the 1st elections took place & the Scottish Parliament was officially opened (129 members). They decide on “devolved” matters (education, health, environment, agriculture, justice) while the 72 Scottish MPs represent their constituencies in London on “reserved” matters (defense and national security, employment, foreign affairs). Functions of the Scottish Parliament: to hold the Scottish Executive accountable through oral & written questions; to make laws on devolved matters; to debate important issues; to publish reports.

The National Assembly for W:

The Referendum of 1997 in W => the Welsh approved the idea of devolution, the Government of W - Act of 1998 established the National Assembly for W. Since 1999 the National Assembly for W has power & responsibility to develop policies & make important decisions in the following areas: agriculture, ancient monuments & historic buildings, culture, education, environment, health, industry, local government, tourism, transport, the Welsh language, etc.The Secretary of State for W & 39 MPs represent W in Parliament in London.

The NI Assembly:

The situation in NI is more difficult than that in S or W. In 1998 a 108-member Assembly (18 constituencies, 6 members from each) was elected using a proportional representation system. The Assembly met in shadow form (without legislative power). The formal powers were devolved from London to the Assembly only in 1999 due to the political tension with IRA. 2000 – political problems led to a return to direct rule from London; 2003 – new elections to the NI Assembly were held. But the road to peace & solution of the Irish issue remains difficult & there was little success so far in devolution in NI.

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