Chapter 12 Self-test questions

. The legislative process includes the process of implementing and enforcing the law once made.

True

False

. Parliaments and legislatures have more functions than simply making law. Which of the following options are common parliamentary functions? Please select all that apply.

Representative function

Elective function

Scrutinizing government

Executive function

. Which of the following statements accurately capture Dicey's view on the limitations which exist on Parliament's law-making powers?

Parliament's law-making powers are subject to external and internal political limits.

Parliament's law-making powers are not subject to any limits.

Parliament's law-making powers are subject to legal limitations.

Parliament's law-making powers are subject to legal and political limitations.

. Which of the following institutions plays the most important role in the legislative process?

The government

The Monarch

Parliament

House of Commons Select Committees

. The government is always under legal obligation to carry out public consultation every time it formulates policy.

True

False

. Which of the following can be advanced as justifications for the complexity which is associated with the drafting style of Acts of Parliament in the United Kingdom? Please select all that apply.

Inherent complexity of the policy

The need for precision and detail

Relationships with other Acts of Parliament

A desire to confuse ordinary citizens

. What statement best reflects the views of the House of Commons Modernization Committee on the value of pre-legislative scrutiny?

Pre-legislative scrutiny could lead to poor legislation.

Pre-legislative scrutiny may make the later stages of the legislative process longer.

Pre-legislative scrutiny is a good idea but would be pointless in practice.

Pre-legislative scrutiny can be of real benefit to Government, and it is right in principle.

. Why does David Feldman suggest that legislative scrutiny in the UK Parliament is not afforded the attention it deserves?

Members of both Houses have many other competing priorities and resources.

Legislative scrutiny is not important to MPs and peers.

MPs and peers are incapable of effective legislative scrutiny.

Members and peers spend too long in restaurants and bars in Parliament.

. What were the goals of the academics working on the Constitutional Standards of the House of Lords Select Committee on the Constitution? Please select all that apply.

To draw attention to the normative foundations of the work of the Constitution Committee.

To provide a potential resource for those involved in the legislative process.

To contribute to the debate on the development of a code of general legislative standards that was began by the House of Commons Select Committee on Political and Constitutional Reform.

To develop a constitution.

. Which of the following statements about the level of discretion available to the government is true?

The government is entitled to decide both whether and when to bring sections of primary legislation into force.

The government is entitled to decide neither whether and when to bring sections of Acts into force. The Parliament must decide both these matters.

The government is entitled to decide when to bring sections of Acts into force but cannot state that they will not bring the Act into force.

The government is entitled to decide whether to bring an Act into force but not when this occurs.

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