Discuss the Power and functions of House of Lords.
Introduction:
The House of Lords is the oldest house in the world, and it had been in continuous existence from more than thousand years. It is the upper House of the British parliament it is generally stated that the House of Lords is hereditary house. It is also known as House of peers. House of Lords is the second Chamber of British parliament, and it works with the House of Commons to make laws and check the actions of the government.
Number of members all House of Lords
The number of members is not fixed. The numbers of the members vary from time to time. As well as selection of the members is depending upon the well of the queen. but nowadays the numbers of the total members of the House of Lords sitting in the parliament is 800.
ORGANISATION:
The Lord Chancellor is the presiding officer of the House of Lords. The crown appoints several peers to take their place on the “Woolsack” in order of precedence in the absence of the Lord Chancellor. The first of the deputy speakers to act for him is the Lord Chairman of Committees, who is appointed for each session and presides over all committees, unless the House otherwise directs. The House also appointsa number of Deputy Lord Chairman of Committees.
Powers and Functions:
1. Legislation:
Once upon a time, both houses enjoyed equal power but under 1911 and 1949 Acts the powers of the Upper House are curtailed. Accordingly, if a bill has been passed in three consecutive sessions of the House of Commons, such bill will be sent for royal’s assent irrespective of royal’s assent. Moreover, if one year has elapsed between the second reading of the first session and its third reading in the third session of the House of Commons, it shall be sent for the approval of the Queen without the authorization of the House of Lords. Thus, the final authority rests with the House of Commons and the House of Lords has now lost all its effectiveness in these fields.
2. Financial Legislation:
Under the Act of 1911, if a money bill, after having passes by the Commoners, is sent for the approval of the Lords and it does not give its approval within a period of one month, it will be sent for the approval of Queen without the approval of the upper chamber Moreover, it is the discretion of the Speaker to declare any bill as money bill and his verdict shall be treated as final.
3) Executive Powers:
The House enjoys share in the Cabinet. The Lords are empowered to ask questions from the government and have a full right to debate its policies. It may be noted that the Lords have no power to pass a censure against the ministry. The Cabinet is not responsible to the House of Lords but it can only cross-examine the ministers.
4) Judicial Powers:
The House of Lords is the Supreme Court appeal for cases in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and a court of impeachment for the trial of important officers of the crown. Impeachments have long gone out of use; there is no need for them as the principle of ministerial responsibility is now well established. As the highest court of appeal the whole house never meets. It is only the Law Lords who perform the judicial function of the house.