Vitae Yorkshire27th November 2012

House of Commons

House of Lords

Monarch

Makes and passes laws (Legislation)

Holds Government to account (Scrutiny)

Enables the Government to set levels of taxation

Keep it brief- 1 side of A4

Clear language – for an intelligent non specialist

Be objective – let the research speak for itself

Who are you and why are you contacting them?

What is the issue and why is it relevant now?

What is the impact/ who will it affect?

What do you want to happen?

All Party Parliamentary Groups

Early Day Motions

Debates

Select Committees

Questions

Adjournment debates (Commons) Westminster Hall debates (Commons) Backbench Business Committee (Commons) Questions for short debate (Lords)

A Minister from the relevant department must attend and respond on behalf of the government

9.30am to 11am: Fiscal support for the Humber economy - Alan Johnson

11am to 11.30am: Payment of winter fuel allowances - Mr Mike Weir

2.30pm to 4pm: Knife crime - Mr Douglas Carswell

4pm to 4.30pm: Car hire consumer protection - Ian Swales

4.30pm to 5pm: Boundary Commission and Great Grimsby constituency - Austin Mitchell

• All Government departments can be questioned on their work

• In writing and orally• In Commons and Lords• Must relate to running of Government department• Cannot be on party or private issues, sub-judice,

or on the monarchy• Must be used to request information or press

for action

• A key aspect of scrutiny• Committees scrutinise individual Government

departments and key policy areas• Work carried out through public inquiries• Groups and individuals can submit evidence

to inquiries

Terms of reference will be issued – ensure evidence addresses them

Check deadline dates Use clear language – write for an intelligent non-

expert Suggest solutions as well as addressing problems Contact committee Clerk to discuss your

submission, and for advice

• Statements on a wide range of issues, written in the form of a debate motion

• MPs only• Usually backbench MPs, occasionally used by opposition

front bench• Enable MPs to comment on a wide range of issues• Can:• Congratulate• Commemorate• Condemn• Call for action

Aims to help parliamentarians examine science and technology issues effectively through independent, balanced analysis of public policy issues related to science and technology

Produces briefings, organises events and assists Select Committees

Provide specialist impartial information and briefing service for MPs, Peers, their staff, committees and staff of the Houses

Produce wide range of briefing material

Available online at www.parliament.uk under research publications

Useful Information

• www.parliament.uk

• 020 7219 4272 – Commons information

• 020 7219 3107 – Lords information