Chapter 8 Multiple choice questions

. How many MPs sit in the House of Commons?

100

650

800

325

. Which electoral system is used for general elections?

First-past-the-post

Alternative vote

Supplementary vote

Additional members system

. Which of the following groups of people can vote at UK general elections?

Citizens of the Republic of Ireland

Those serving a custodial sentence

Citizens of the European Union

16 year olds

. Which one of the following is not a 'category' of peer with a right to sit in the House of Lords?

Archbishops and bishops of the Church of England

Life Peers

Crossbenchers

Supreme Court justices

. Generally, what is Parliament's role in the legislative process?

Parliament's role is limited to approving Bills proposed by the government

The House of Commons must accept Bills proposed by the government, but they can be amended by the House of Lords

Parliament debates, scrutinises, and amends Bills made by the government through different stages of the legislative process

Parliament must accept any amendments to a Bill proposed by the Queen

. Which of the following most accurately describes the Salisbury Convention?

The people of Salisbury must approve the bill at a public meeting before it can become law

The House of Lords cannot amend a bill passed by the House of Commons if it is implementing one of the government's manifesto commitments

Any legislation approved by the House of Commons must be approved by the House of Lords

The House of Lords will grant a second reading to a bill which implements a commitment contained in the manifesto of the government at the last general election. The House of Lords can still amend the legislation at later stages of the legislative process

. Which of the following most accurately describes the procedure found in Parliament Acts 1911 and 1949, s. 2(1)?

The House of Lords must approve any legislation that extends the life of a Parliament beyond five years

If a Bill has been passed by the House of Commons in two successive sessions and is rejected by the House of Lords in each of those sessions, then after being rejected a second time by the House of Lords the Bill can receive the Royal Assent and become an Act of Parliament.

This does not apply to Money Bills or Bills which extend the life of a Parliament beyond five years

The House of Commons must agree to any changes made by the House of Lords to legislation

If the Speaker of the House of Commons considers that changes made to a Bill by the House of Lords are 'reasonable', then they are deemed to be approved and the Bill is then sent for Royal Assent

. What is the role of select committees within Parliament?

To select candidates who will then stand for Parliament

To scrutinise the policies, administration, and expenditure of the government

To select which MPs can ask a question at Prime Minister's Question Time

To select which Bills are debated in the House of Commons

. What is secondary legislation?

Legislation made under powers granted to the government by an Act of Parliament.

Legislation made by committees in Parliament with special responsibility for different policy areas.

Legislation that is solely made by the 'second chamber', the House of Lords.

Legislation that is solely made by the House of Commons.

. What is the primary role of departmental select committees?

To scrutinise that MPs are taking the work of each government department sufficiently seriously.

To scrutinise legislation that falls within their remit.

To scrutinise the policy, administration and expenditure of government departments.

To scrutinise the Prime Minister's decision to appoint a minister to a particular government department.

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