Written question asked by Tony Wright (Labour) on Monday, 15 November 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 18 November 2004. It was answered by Baroness Harman (Labour) on Thursday, 18 November 2004 on behalf of the Solicitor General.

Solicitor-General

Question: To ask the Solicitor General, if she will make a statement on the Parliament Act 1949.

Answer: Tony Wright: To ask the Solicitor-General if she will make a statement on the Parliament Act 1949. [199102] The Solicitor-General: The Parliament Act 1949 amended the Parliament Act 1911. The 1911 Act restricted the powers of the House of Lords both in relation to money Bills, and Bills other than money Bills. Under the provisions of the 1911 Act, the Lords lost the power to delay certified money Bills for more than one month and to exercise an absolute veto over other public Bills. If a public Bill, other than, a money Bill, or a Bill extending the maximum duration of a Parliament, was passed by the Commons in three successive sessions, with at least two years between the first Commons second reading and the Commons third reading in the third session, it could be presented for Royal Assent by the Commons. The Parliament Act 1949 amended the 1911 Act reducing the time periods specified in the execution of the procedure. It replaced references to "three sessions" with "two sessions", and "two years" with "one year.

Secondary information