9.1.2 Functions of House of Commons and House of Lords

House of Commons

1. Law-Making:

• Introduction and Debate: MPs introduce and debate bills. The Commons scrutinises proposed legislation through readings and committee stages.

• Specific Example: The EU Withdrawal Agreement Bill (2019) went through multiple readings and extensive debate in the Commons, reflecting the contentious nature of Brexit. Amendments and clauses were scrutinised in detail before the bill passed. 2. Representation:

• Constituency Work: MPs represent the interests and concerns of their constituents. They hold surgeries, respond to correspondence, and advocate on behalf of constituents in the House.

• Specific Example: During the COVID-19 pandemic, many MPs, such as Nadia Whittome (Labour, Nottingham East), actively supported their constituents by providing information on government support schemes and advocating for better local healthcare provisions. 3. Scrutiny and Accountability:

• Prime Minister's Questions (PMQs): Weekly sessions where the Prime Minister answers questions from MPs, ensuring executive accountability.

• Specific Example: In PMQs, Keir Starmer, the Leader of the Opposition, questioned Prime Minister Boris Johnson on the government's handling of the COVID-19 crisis, particularly on issues such as PPE shortages and testing capacity.

• Select Committees: These committees investigate specific areas of policy, scrutinising government actions and spending.

• Specific Example: The Public Accounts Committee, chaired by Meg Hillier, scrutinised the government's expenditure on the NHS Test and Trace programme, highlighting inefficiencies and the need for improvements. 4. Legitimacy and Representation:

• Electoral Mandate: The Commons derives legitimacy from being directly elected by the public, reflecting the democratic will of the electorate.

• Specific Example: The 2019 General Election provided a clear mandate for Boris Johnson's Conservative Party, which campaigned on a platform of "Get Brexit Done," leading to a significant parliamentary majority.

Extent of Fulfilment:

• The House of Commons effectively fulfills its law-making and scrutiny functions, evidenced by rigorous debates and committee inquiries.
• Representation is also strong, though there are concerns about the effectiveness of MPs in addressing all constituent issues.
• Criticisms include the dominance of the executive over the legislature, particularly when the government has a large majority.

House of Lords

1. Revising Legislation:

• Detailed Scrutiny: The Lords reviews and amends bills passed by the Commons, ensuring thorough examination and improvement of legislation.

• Specific Example: The House of Lords significantly amended the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill (2021), focusing on clauses related to protest rights, highlighting concerns about civil liberties. 2. Expertise and Independence:

• Specialist Knowledge: Many Lords are appointed for their expertise in specific fields, contributing informed perspectives to legislative debates.

• Specific Example: Lord Krebs, an expert in zoology and environmental science, provided valuable insights during debates on the Agriculture Bill (2020), particularly regarding environmental protections and food standards.

3. Deliberation:

• Non-Partisan Debate: The Lords engages in more reflective and less politically driven debates compared to the Commons, providing valuable scrutiny.

• Specific Example: The House of Lords debated the Domestic Abuse Bill (2021), where members, including Baroness Hale and Baroness Newlove, shared expertise on legal and social aspects, leading to important amendments enhancing victim protections. 4. Holding the Government to Account:

• Questions and Committees: Like the Commons, the Lords holds the government to account through questions and committees.

• Specific Example: The Lords' Economic Affairs Committee, chaired by Lord Forsyth, conducted a detailed inquiry into the economic impact of the government's response to COVID-19, making recommendations for future policy improvements.

Extent of Fulfilment:

• The House of Lords is effective in revising and scrutinising legislation, thanks to its expertise and independence.
• It often provides more detailed and less partisan scrutiny than the Commons.
• However, its lack of democratic legitimacy is a significant criticism, with ongoing debates about reforming its composition and powers.

Conclusion

The main functions of the House of Commons and House of Lords are critical to the functioning of the UK Parliament. The Commons excels in representation, law-making, and accountability, drawing its legitimacy from direct elections. The Lords complements this with detailed scrutiny, expertise, and independent judgment, though it faces challenges related to its unelected nature. Both houses play essential roles in ensuring effective governance and democratic oversight in the UK.