Parliamentary Practice

Part I. Constitution, powers and privileges of Parliament. The constituent parts of Parliament. Elections. Disqualification for membership of either House. Power and jurisdiction of Parliament. The privilege of Parliament. Privilege of freedom of speech. Privilege of freedom from arrest. Penal jurisdiction of both Houses. Contempts. Complaints of breach of privilege or contempt. The courts and parliamentary privilege. Part II: Proceedings in Parliament. - public business. Precincts and organisation of Parliament. A new Parliament and opening and close of session. A sitting: general arrangements in the House of Commons. The control and distribution of time in the House of Commons. Outline of items of business in programme of sitting of the House of Commons. The process of debate in the House of Commons by Motion, Question and Decision. Maintenance of order during debate in the House of Commons. Methods of curtailing debate. Rules governing the conduct of Members. Organisation and conduct of business in the House of Lords. Proceedings of Parliament in passing public bills. Delegated legislation. Formal communications between Crown and Parliament and between Lords and Commons. The system of committees. Witnesses and Parliament. Financial procedure - general. Expenditure - supply. Expenditure - financial resolutions. Ways and Means and Finance Bills. The House of Lords and charges. Public petitions. Parliament, the European Communities and international assemblies. Part III: Proceedings in Parliament - private business. Preliminary view of private bills. Preliminary proceedings in both Houses on private bills. Petitions in favour of, against, or relating to private bills in the House of Commons; and the Court of Referees. Proceedings in the House of Commons on private bills. Proceedings in the House of Lords on private and personal bills, Royal Assent and classification of Private Acts. Provisional orders and special procedure orders. Private legislation procedure (Scotland). Appendix: House of Commons standing orders relative to public business.