Parliament examines what the Government is doing, makes new laws, holds the power to set taxes and debates the issues of the day.

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Griffin Daniels
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1 About Parliament Parliament is made up of three central elements: the House of Commons the House of Lords the Monarchy The main business of Parliament takes place in the two Houses. Generally the decisions made in one House have to be approved by the other.

2 Parliament examines what the Government is doing, makes new laws, holds the power to set taxes and debates the issues of the day. The House of Commons and House of Lords each play an important role in Parliament's work. The main functions of the UK Parliament are to: Check and challenge the work of the Government Make and change laws Debate the important issues of the day Check and approve Government spending

3 Check the work of Government One of Parliament's main roles is to examine and challenge the work of the government through questioning ministers, debating and committee work. Legislation For new legislation to become law, or for changes to existing laws to be made, the House of Commons and House of Lords must both debate, amend and vote on the proposals.

4 Rules and traditions of Parliament Much of parliamentary procedure has developed over the centuries and is not written in the Standing Orders (regolamenti scritti). This is sometimes known as 'custom and practice. (uso e prassi) The practice of bills being 'read' three times in both Houses is not in the Standing Orders for example. Other procedures have developed through precedents such as rulings (decisioni) made by the Speaker and resolutions of the House. ent/house-of-commons-chamber-film/house-of-commonschamber-film/

7 Where Members sit and speak By convention, Ministers sit on the front bench on the right hand of the Speaker: the Chief Whip* usually sits in this row. Official Opposition spokespersons use the front bench to the Speaker's left. Minority or smaller parties sit on the benches below the gangway** on the left. Capogruppo parlamentare che mantiene I contatti tra I parlamentari e il leader del partito L espressione below the gangway indica le due file di gradini che separano I banchi su entrambi I lati.

8 New laws The Government introduces most plans for new laws, with many included in the Queen's Speech at the opening of each session of Parliament, and changes to existing laws. However, new laws can originate from an MP or a Lord. Before draft laws (progetto di legge), known as Bills, are introduced into Parliament, there is often consultation or discussion with interested parties such as professional bodies, voluntary organisations and pressure groups.

9 Draft Bills and pre-legislative scrutiny A Draft Bill (bozza di legge) is a Bill that is published to enable consultation and pre-legislative scrutiny before a Bill is formally introduced into either the House of Commons or House of Lords. A Draft Bill is considered, often by a departmental select committee in the Commons or by a joint committee of Lords and Members of the Commons. This allows MPs and Members of the Lords to have early influence on the Bill. This process is known as pre-legislative scrutiny.

10 Do all Bills apply to the whole of the UK? Some Bills apply to the whole of the UK. However, Bills may apply to one or more constituent parts - for example, only to England and Wales. Law-making powers in some subjects rest with the Scottish Parliament, the Welsh Assembly and the Northern Ireland Assembly, rather than the UK Parliament.

11 International and EU legislation Sometimes new laws are also needed to ensure that the UK complies (si adegui) with international or EU legislation.

12 A Bill (bozza di legge) is a proposal for a new law, or a proposal to change an existing law that is presented for debate before Parliament. Bills are introduced in either the House of Commons or House of Lords for examination, discussion and amendment. When both Houses have agreed on the content of a Bill it is then presented to the reigning monarch for approval (known as Royal Assent). Once Royal Assent is given a Bill becomes an Act of Parliament and is law.

Session aims to cover. Understanding & Influencing Parliament 10/9/2012. Q1: Parliament is made up of. Parliament consists of

Session aims to cover. Understanding & Influencing Parliament 10/9/2012. Q1: Parliament is made up of. Parliament consists of Session aims to cover Understanding & Influencing Parliament Kerrie Fletcher South Derbyshire CVS 01283 219761 / kerrief@sdcvs.org.uk October 2012 What is Parliament and what does it do? How are laws made