Origins of the British Parliament

1.

ORIGINS OF THE BRITISH
PARLIAMENT

2.

The UK Parliament has two Houses that work on behalf
of UK citizens.
The main functions of the UK Parliament are to:
- Check and challenge the work of the Government (scrutiny)
- Make and change laws (legislation)
- Debate the important issues of the day (debating)
- Check and approve Government spending (budget/taxes)
Parliament consists of three central elements: the House of
Commons, the House of Lords and the Monarchy.

3.

MPs and Lords get the
opportunity to question
government ministers either
directly on the floor of the House
during the regular oral question
times or in writing.
Question time takes place on the
following days:
Monday: 2.35pm - 3.35pm
Tuesday: 11.35am - 12.35pm
Wednesday: 11.35am - 12.35pm
Thursday: 9.35am - 10.35am

4.

Debates in the Commons provide an
opportunity for MPs to look at the
creation and amendment of laws as well
as national and international issues and
can be on any subject.
Westminster Hall debates take place in
the Commons secondary chamber the
Grand Committee Room.
In the Lords, one day a week is set aside
for general debates and short debates take
place on most days (lasting one and a half
hours).

5.

• In the British Parliament, the
prohibition to come to
its meetings in knightly armor is
still considered valid.
• Dueling matches of any kind
are prohibited in the Houses of
Parliament
• Those present at the meetings
of Parliament are forbidden to
wear any award signs on their
clothes that demonstrate the
gratitude or favorable attitude of
the monarch towards them.