Chapter 9: Parliament
Activities of Parliament:
makes new laws
gives authority for the government to raise and spend money
keeps a close eye on government activities
discusses the activities
Palace of Westminster: place where the Parliament works (also called ‘the houses
of Parliament)
House of Lords, House of Commons: the two houses in the Parliament. The
Commons are known as MPs (members of Parliament) and are more important.
The atmosphere of Parliament
House of Commons: seating arrangements
two rows of benches facing each other: left government benches,
right opposition benches
The Speaker’s Chair: between these two rows, the Speaker controls
the debate.
the MP’s speak from wherever they are sitting & there are no desks
room is very small itself
Rather informal atmosphere: MP’s don’t have their own ‘territory’ so they are
encouraged to cooperate, they speak in a conversational tone and they don’t
speak very long (because they don’t have space to place their notes.)
Many detailed rules and customs of procedure: the MPs have to learn this.
Example: MPs will never say ‘you’ but they will say something else because
everything has to go ‘through the chair’ to decrease the possibility that
violence may break out
An MP’s life
High-status role: the tradition says that only rich people could afford to be MPs
Cramped working conditions: they don’t get paid a lot because they were
supposed to be ordinary people who gave some of their time to keeping an eye
on the government and representing the people.
Question time:
part of the parliamentary day
MPs are allowed to ask questions of government ministers
opposition MPs want to make government ministers look
incompetent
questions not spontaneous, two days in advance other MPs
prepare answer
but ‘supplementary’ questions
Activities of Parliament:
makes new laws
gives authority for the government to raise and spend money
keeps a close eye on government activities
discusses the activities
Palace of Westminster: place where the Parliament works (also called ‘the houses
of Parliament)
House of Lords, House of Commons: the two houses in the Parliament. The
Commons are known as MPs (members of Parliament) and are more important.
The atmosphere of Parliament
House of Commons: seating arrangements
two rows of benches facing each other: left government benches,
right opposition benches
The Speaker’s Chair: between these two rows, the Speaker controls
the debate.
the MP’s speak from wherever they are sitting & there are no desks
room is very small itself
Rather informal atmosphere: MP’s don’t have their own ‘territory’ so they are
encouraged to cooperate, they speak in a conversational tone and they don’t
speak very long (because they don’t have space to place their notes.)
Many detailed rules and customs of procedure: the MPs have to learn this.
Example: MPs will never say ‘you’ but they will say something else because
everything has to go ‘through the chair’ to decrease the possibility that
violence may break out
An MP’s life
High-status role: the tradition says that only rich people could afford to be MPs
Cramped working conditions: they don’t get paid a lot because they were
supposed to be ordinary people who gave some of their time to keeping an eye
on the government and representing the people.
Question time:
part of the parliamentary day
MPs are allowed to ask questions of government ministers
opposition MPs want to make government ministers look
incompetent
questions not spontaneous, two days in advance other MPs
prepare answer
but ‘supplementary’ questions
