Task 13. Read and translate the text.

The work of Parliament

Part I

Each parliamentary session begins with the State Opening of Parliament, a ceremonial occasion when the Queen announces the program of the work of Parliament for the coming session. Routine working day of MPs begins in the afternoon and lasts until about 10.30 p.m. though sometimes it may be beyond midnight. Lord's working day begins in the morning lasting till afternoon, they do not work on Friday.

The general way and details of conducting business in Parliament is governed by "standing orders" which resulted from custom and precedent.

After brief opening formalities the working day of Parliament begins with Question Time, lasting about an hour. Ministers are asked from 40 to 70 questions on any points MPs choose. But questions should be handed to the officials of the House at least 48 hours beforehand. The answer to the question is prepared for the ministers by civil servants. There is no means of compelling a minister to give a truthful answer. Answers are often given without supplying any information at all.

Naturally, both the Government and the Opposition use this period to reveal the weaknesses of their opponents. So after a minister's formal answer supplementary questions may be asked. A minister and his staff preparing answers should anticipate what questions may be asked. The aim of supplementary questions is to reveal a weakness in the Government policy or to persuade the Government to modify its course of action. On two afternoons each week the Prime Minister is to answer questions on general policy matters.

After the question-time the House of Commons goes on to the main debate of the day to which it can give 6 hours or more. It often concerns foreign or home policy, or it may be the examination of the contents of a bill, as Parliament's unique and overriding function is the making of laws. The starting point is the drafting of a bill. The preparation of the text of the bill takes many months with long consultations involving civil-servant and legal experts.

Proposals of a bill sometimes take the form of "white papers", stating government policy, which can be debated before a bill is introduced. "Green papers" are published when the Government wants a full public discussion before it formulates its own proposals. When at last the draft receives approval of the Cabinet it is ready to be presented to Parliament. It should pass through both Houses and it may begin its journey in either of the Houses, but usually the bills are introduced first in the House of Commons.

Notes to the text:

standing orders – правила процедуры

overriding – основной, первостепенный

"White papers" – «Белая книга» (официальный правительственный документ, название по цвету обложки)

"Green papers"– «Зеленая книга» (официальный правительственный документ, название по цвету обложки)

Task 14. Find in the text the English equivalents for the following words and word combinations: предстоящая сессия, вести дела, заранее, дополнительные вопросы, содержание законопроекта, составление законопроекта, выдвинуть законопроект, проект, получить одобрение.

Task 15. Find synonyms from the text to the following words: to declare, to rule, short, additional, to continue, to foresee, to convince, main, to change, to discuss.

Task 16. Answer the questions:

1. How long does the working day of MPs and Lords last?

2. What is meant by Question Time?

3. What is the aim of supplementary questions?

4. What does the main debate of the day usually concern?

5. When is the draft presented to Parliament?

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