11. Reading: The House of Lords

 

  

 

The House of Lords is the second chamber of the UK Parliament. It works with the House of Commons to:

 

- make laws;
- check and challenge the actions of the government;
- provide a forum of independent expertise.

The House of Lords Chamber spends about 60% of its time on legislation; the other 40% is spent on scrutiny – questioning Government and debating issues and policy. Committee work takes place outside the Chamber.

The House of Lords is often referred to as the 'Upper House' or 'Second Chamber'. Both these terms illustrate that the Lords is one of two parts of the UK Parliament. The political party which wins the most seats/places in a general election forms the Government.

 

The Government runs the country and is formed from the political party that wins most seats in the House of Commons in a general election. The Government formulates policy and introduces legislation in Parliament.

Most senior members of the Government are members of the House of Commons but there are ministers, along with two Cabinet members, in the House of Lords.

 

The House of Lords also contains many Members of Parliament who were in previous governments.

Each sitting day the Members of the Lords start by questioning Government Ministers in the Chamber to find out what they are doing, or propose to do, on any subject (Oral Questions).

 

After Oral Questions, Lords may then examine and improve draft legislation. This may have begun in the House of Commons or the House of Lords. Members may also debate important topics to highlight what the House thinks on an issue, signalling their views to the country and the government.

 

1. The House of Lords Chamber spends about 40% of its time on legislation.

   

• false
• true

 

2. The Government does not formulate policy.

   

• true
• false

 

3. The House of Lords also contains many Members of Parliament who were in previous governments.

   

• true
• false