Parliament Act 1949
The Parliament Act 1949 is an important piece of legislation in the United Kingdom, which modified the earlier Parliament Act 1911. Here's detailed information on the act:
Background and Context
- The original Parliament Act 1911 was enacted to limit the power of the House of Lords, particularly its ability to block legislation passed by the House of Commons. It was a response to the political deadlock over the People's Budget of 1909 and aimed at reducing the veto power of the Lords.
- Despite the 1911 Act, the Lords still retained significant delaying powers, which could be used to obstruct or delay the legislative process, particularly concerning financial matters.
Provisions of the 1949 Act
- The Parliament Act 1949 reduced the time that the House of Lords could delay money bills from two years to one year.
- It also reduced the power of the Lords to delay other bills from two sessions to one session, effectively shortening the time the Lords could delay any legislation to about one year.
- This act was passed under a Labour government, and it was seen as a further step in the ongoing process of reducing the influence of the unelected chamber in UK politics.
Impact and Usage
- The Act has been used sparingly. Notably, it was employed to pass the War Crimes Act 1991, allowing the UK to prosecute crimes committed during World War II, despite opposition from the House of Lords.
- Another significant use was for the Hunting Act 2004, which banned hunting with dogs in England and Wales, despite opposition from many Lords.
Controversies and Legal Challenges
- The Act has faced legal scrutiny, most notably in the case of Jackson v Attorney General (2005), where the validity of the Act itself was questioned. The House of Lords ruled that while the Act was lawful, it could potentially be repealed like any other law.
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