Legislation. Pick any stage in, or aspect of, the UK legislative process. Explain how it operates, how effective it is, and how it could be usefully reformed.

Order Description
The paper should be on the UK legislative process.
It is important to note that this research project is not a conventional essay. It requires more initiative and research.

The project’s sources should involve a mix of primary and secondary material.

Draw on sources such as government Green or White Papers; House of Commons or House of Lords debates (Hansard); data on parliamentary voting behaviour; select committee reports; MPs’ websites or social media accounts. This list is illustrative not exhaustive.

Where appropriate, you are encouraged to present information in the form of tables and graphs. Each such table or figure requires a number, a short title, and a clear explanation in the text. In addition, each requires explanation and discussion – rather than simply being a free-standing addition. Source(s) used in the construction of tables and figures should be placed directly underneath. And whatever you do, do not cut and paste tables or figures in from other sources.

Below is a potential reading list:
P Norton (2013) Parliament in British Politics, Chs 4-5

R Rogers and R Walters (2015) How Parliament Works, esp. Ch 6

Political and Constitutional Reform Committee (2013) Ensuring Standards in the Quality of Legislation, Vol. 1, 1st Report, 2013-2014, HC 85, 20 May 2013:

A Horne, G Drewry and D Oliver (2013) (eds.), Parliament and the Law

M Zander (2015) The Law-Making Process (7th edn.)

A Brazier et al (2008) Law in the Making: Influence and Change in the Legislative Process, Hansard Society

Louise Thompson, (2015) Making British Law

Louise Thompson (2014) ‘Evidence taking under the microscope: How has oral evidence affected the scrutiny of legislation in House of Commons committees?’, British Politics, 9 (4), 385-400

Ruth Fox and Matt Korris (2010) Making Better Law: Reform of the Legislative Process from Policy to Act, Hansard Society

J Levy (2010) ‘Public Bill Committees: An Assessment. Scrutiny Sought; Scrutiny Gained’, Parliamentary Affairs, Vol. 63, No. 3, pp. 534-544

A Brazier (2004) (ed.), Parliament, politics and law-making

P A Bromhead (1956) Private Members’ Bills in the British Parliament

P Cowley (1998) (ed.) Conscience and Parliament

P G Richards (1970) Parliament and Conscience

D Marsh and M Read (1988) Private Members’ Bills

P Cowley and N Stace (1996) ‘The Wild Mammals (Protection) Bill: A Parliamentary White Elephant?’, Journal of Legislative Studies, Vol. 2, Issue 4, pp. 339-355

H Marsh and D Marsh (2002) ‘Tories in the Killing Fields? The Fate of Private Members’ Bills in the 1997-2001 Parliament’, Journal of Legislative Studies, Vol. 8, Issue 1, pp. 91-112

J Smookler (2006) ‘Making A Difference? The Effectiveness of Pre-Legislative Scrutiny’, Parliamentary Affairs, Vol. 59, Issue 3, pp. 522-535

A Brazier et al (2008) Law in the Making: Influence and Change in the Legislative Process, Hansard Society

A Kennon (2004) ‘Analysis: pre-legislative scrutiny of draft Bills’, Public Law, Autumn

Select Committee on Modernisation of the House of Commons (2006) The Legislative Process (First report of 2005-2006 session)

Procedure Committee (2016) Private Members’ bills (Third report of 2015-16 session)

Procedure Committee (2013) Private Members’ bills (Second report of 2013-14 session)

Procedure Committee (2015) Government proposals for English votes for English laws Standing Orders: interim report (First report of 2015-16 session)

M Russell, B Morris & P Larkin (2013) Fitting the Bill: Bringing Commons Legislation Committees into Line with Best Practice [copy below, on QM+]