The UK ParliamentAn Overview by Toby Arnott

Houses of Parliament

House of Commons

House of Lords

House of Commons

The UK public elects 650 Members of Parliament (MPs) to represent their interests and concerns in the House of Commons. MPs consider and propose new laws and can scrutinize government policies.

It is the publicly elected chamber of Parliament.

The House of Commons is governed by a group of MPs who make up the House of Commons Commission.

House of Commons web page

Functions of the House of Commons

House of Commons

Legislation Executive Scrutiny

Provision of Ministers Debate Representatio

n

Members of Parliament by PartyJanuary 2013

Party Number of MPs

Conservative 303

Labour 255

Liberal Democrat 57

Democratic Unionist 8

Scottish National 6

Other 21

Members of Parliament by PartyJanuary 2013

MPs by Party – January 2013

Conservative Labour Liberal DemocratDemocratic Unionist Scottish National Other

House of Lords

The House of Lords is the second Chamber of the UK Parliament.

It is independent from, and complements the work of, the elected House of Commons.

The House of Lords shares the task of making and shaping the laws and checking and challenging the work of the government.

House of Lords web page

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House of Commons

House of Lords