2 The House of Commons

In the House of Commons MPs take their seats on the green leather benches according to their party and position. One of them is chosen to be the Speaker, who acts as a chairman of the debates which take place in the House. In front of him on his right sit the MPs of the biggest party, which forms the government and facing them sit the MPs of the parties who oppose them, the opposition. The leaders of these two groups sit at the front on each side. MPs without special positions in their parties sit behind their leaders at the back. They are called backbenchers. The leader of the government, the Prime Minister, sits on the government front bench. The most important of the ministers form the Cabinet. The minister responsible for relations with other countries is called the Foreign Secretary. The minister responsible for law and security is called the Home Secretary. The minister who deals with financial matters is called the Chancellor of the Exchequer. (800)

Notes to the text:

according to – согласно

take place – происходят

in front of him on his right – перед ним справа

backbenchers – рядовые члены партии (заднескамеечники)

responsible for – ответственный за

Foreign Secretary – министр иностранных дел

Home Secretary – министр внутренних дел

Chancellor of the Exchequer – министр финансов

3 Making New Laws: Bills and Acts

The functions of Parliament are: making laws; providing money for the government through taxation; examining government policy, administration and spending; debating political questions.

A law can be passed if it completes a number of stages in the House of Commons and the House of Lords. The monarch also must give a Bill the Royal Assent. While a law is going through Parliament it is called a bill. There are two types of bills – Public Bills which deal with matters of public importance and Private Bills which deal with local matters and individuals.

Public and Private Bills are passed through Parliament in much the same way. When a Bill is introduced in the House of Commons, it receives a formal first reading. It is then printed and read a second time, when it is debated but not amended. After the second reading the Bill is referred to a committee. Here it is discussed in detail and amended if necessary. The Bill is then presented for a third reading and is debated. If the Bill is passed by the Commons it goes to the Lords. Here it goes through the same procedure as in the Commons. After receiving the Royal Assent the Bill becomes an Act of Parliament. (1000)

Notes to the text:

can be passed – может быть принят

a number of stages – ряд стадий

House of Commons – Палата общин

House of Lords – Палата лордов

Royal Assent – Королевская санкция

deal with – имеют дело с

in much the same way – во многом одинаково

is introduced – представлен на рассмотрение

is referred to – передается

is amended – поправки вносятся

presented for – представляется на

Act of Parliament – Акт парламента (закон)