Lawmaking Process in Britain

New legislation in Britain usually starts in the House of Lords. In each house a bill is considered in three stages, called readings. The first reading is purely formal to introduce the bill. The second reading is usually the occasion for debate. After the second reading the bill is examined in detail by a committee.

The bill is then returned to one of the houses for the report stage, when it can be amended. If passed after its third reading, it goes to the other house. Amendments made to a bill by the House of Lords must be considered by the Commons. If the House of Commons does not agree, the bill is altered and sent back to the Lords. In the event of persistent disagreement between the two houses, Commons prevails.

Finally, the bill goes to the reigning monarch for the royal assent. Nowadays the royal assent is merely a formality. In theory the queen could still refuse her consent, but the last monarch to use this power was Queen Anne, who vetoed the unpopular Scottish Militia Bill in 1707.

1. Give English equivalents of the following:

Законопроект; палата Лордов; палата общин; первое чтение; детально изучается; поправки; несогласие; правящий монарх; королевское согласие.

2. Give Russian equivalents of the following:

A bill is considered in three stages; purely formal; the occasion for debate; the report stage; it can be amended; Commons prevail; merely a formality.

3. Match two parts of the sentences in 2 columns:

1.New legislation in Britain

2.In each house a bill

3.The first reading.

4.The second reading

5.After the second reading the bill

5.The report stage

6.Amendments made to a bill by the House of Lords

7.Finally, the bill goes to the reigning monarch

8.The royal assent

a. must be considered by the Commons.

b. is for introducing the bill.

c. is considered in three stages.

d. is merely a formality

e. is examined in detail by a committee.

f. is for making amendments.

g. starts in the House of Lords.

h. is the occasion for debate.

i. for the royal assent.

4. New legislation in Britain starts …..

A bill is considered …..

The first reading is

The second reading is ….

After the second reading the bill ….

The bill is then returned to ….

Amendments made to a bill by the House of Lords ….

Finally, the bill goes to the reigning monarch …..

5. Are the statements right or wrong?

a. New legislation in Britain starts in the House of Commons.

b. In each house a bill is considered in five stages.

c. The first reading is the most important.

i. The first reading is for making amendments.

d. The second reading is the occasion for introducing the bill.

e. After the second reading the bill is examined in detail by the reigning monarch.

f. The bill is then returned to one of the houses for the report stage, when it can be amended. Amendments made to a bill by the House of Lords must be considered by the Commons.

g. First, the bill goes to the reigning monarch for a detailed examination..

h. The royal assent is merely a formality.

6. Where does new legislation in Britain start in?

How many stages is a bill considered in?

What is the first reading for?

What is the second reading for?

How is the bill examined after the second reading?

When can amendments be made?

Where does the bill go finally?

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