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Difficulty: Very hardThe UK Parliament

The Parliament Acts of 1911 and 1949 define the legal relationship between the House of Commons and the House of Lords, specifically regarding the power to block legislation. In the case of a 'Money Bill'—a Bill that deals solely with national taxation, public money, or loans—what is the maximum length of time the House of Lords can delay its passage before it can be sent for Royal Assent without their consent?

  1. One monthAnswer
  2. B
    One year
  3. C
    The Monarch must grant a special extension if the House of Lords requires more than one month to review the Bill
  4. D
    The House of Lords has no legal power to delay a Money Bill for any period of time

Answer

The maximum length of time the House of Lords can delay a Money Bill is one month.
The correct answer is one month because the Parliament Act of 1911 established that if a Money Bill is passed by the House of Commons and sent to the House of Lords at least one month before the end of the session, and it is not passed by the Lords without amendment within one month, it can receive Royal Assent and become law regardless of the Lords' lack of consent.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the specific type of legislation being questioned.
The question refers to a 'Money Bill', which has unique procedural rules in the UK Parliament.
Money Bills involve the nation's finances and are subject to stricter time limits than general legislation.
2
Determine the governing constitutional statutes.
The Parliament Acts of 1911 and 1949 regulate the powers of the House of Lords relative to the House of Commons.
These Acts were designed to ensure the supremacy of the elected House of Commons in financial matters.
3
Recall the specific delay periods established by the Parliament Act of 1911.
The Act specifies a one-month limit for Money Bills and a one-year limit (originally two years in 1911, reduced in 1949) for other public Bills.
This prevents the unelected House of Lords from obstructing the government's ability to raise revenue or spend public funds.

Key Concept

The supremacy of the House of Commons over financial legislation (Money Bills) under the Parliament Acts.
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Topics

The UK Parliament

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