parliament.uk

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Definitions (275)

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clerk of the house


The Clerk of the House is the most senior official of the Commons and advises the House on its practice and procedure. The Clerk is politically impartial and sits at the Table of the House between the [..]
Source: parliament.uk

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dilatory motion


A dilatory motion interrupts the business under discussion and can only be introduced by the Member who is speaking. The motion (proposal) normally follows the style 'that this House do now adjou [..]
Source: parliament.uk

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floor of the house


The Floor of the House refers to the main Chamber in each House. Business that is taken on the floor of the House is dealt with in the Chamber as opposed to being debated in a committee room.
Source: parliament.uk

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referendum


A referendum is when a question is decided by putting it to a public vote. Referendums are an example of direct democracy. In the UK, most decisions are made by Parliament on behalf of the public whic [..]
Source: parliament.uk

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topical questions


Topical questions in the House of Commons are the supplementary questions that may be asked by MPs during the last 15 minutes of most ministerial question sessions. They allow MPs to ask a minister ab [..]
Source: parliament.uk

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abstain


To abstain is to refuse to vote either for or against a motion. In the House of Commons and the House of Lords no official record is kept of those who choose to abstain when there is a division.
Source: parliament.uk

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acts of parliament


Acts of Parliament are known as primary legislation. Collectively, they make up Statute Law which along with conventions, court decisions and treaties is seen as the basis of the UK constitution. If a [..]
Source: parliament.uk

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adjournment motions


An adjournment motion is literally a motion: 'That this House (or sitting) do now adjourn'. In the Commons, however, debates on adjournment motions have covered almost every imaginable topic [..]
Source: parliament.uk

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adjournment debates


Adjournment debates are held on the motion 'that the House (or sitting) do now adjourn'. The term refers to the short, half-hour debate that takes place at the end of each day's sitting [..]
Source: parliament.uk

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affirmation


Members of both the House of Commons and the House of Lords are required to take an oath of allegiance to the Crown before they take their seats in Parliament after a general election or by-election a [..]
Source: parliament.uk


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