1. An introduction to Parliament

2. A service from the Houses of Parliament Politically neutral Aim is to increase knowledge and engagement with work and processes of Parliament Not an alternative to MPs

3. ? ? ?

4. House of Commons House of Lords The Monarch

5. Makes and passes laws (Legislation) Holds Government to account Enables the Government to set taxes

7. Is the democratically elected chamber of Parliament. There are 650 MPs. MPs are usually elected every 4 to 5 years. Fixed Term Parliaments

8. In Parliament Represents their constituency Raises issues on behalf of constituents Passes new laws Scrutinises the work of Government In the Constituency Helps constituents with problems Visits groups and individuals to hear issues/ concerns Represents constituents in various campaigns

10. The House of Lords is the second chamber of Parliament, often known as the revising House. There are currently 831 Members (as of May 2011) These include: 676 Life Peers Conservative: 170 Labour: 239 Liberal Democrat: 88 Cross Bench: 152 92 Hereditary Peers 26 Bishops Reform of the House? – Lords Reform (Draft Bill) 17 May 2011 introduced

11. Scrutinise and make legislation They play an important role in the passing of laws Hold Ministers to account through questions and debates Debate key issues at length and in detail Scrutinise EU legislation

12. You can contact any Member about issues that you would like Parliament to look at. You can request that a Member asks a question or raises a debate on your behalf. It is useful to contact a Member who has a particular interest in your issue. You can find out what individual Members are interested in by looking on the Parliament website.

13. The Prime Minister The Cabinet

14. Westminster Parliament Whitehall Government Close, but different

15. Commons, Lords, Monarch Holds Government to account Passes laws Enables taxation Represents public Raises key issues Formed by the party who can command the confidence of the Commons Some MPs and Lords Runs Government departments and public services Accountable to Parliament Government (Whitehall)

16. General Election 2010

18. Questions to Ministers Adjournment/ Westminster Hall debates Select Committees Backbench Business Committee

19. Lords Bill presented / First Reading Commons Second Reading Public Bill Committee Committee of the Whole House ReportThird Reading Bill presented / First Reading Second Reading Committee (whole House) ReportThird Reading After Consideration of Lords Amendments Ping Pong Royal Assent Regulations

20. Can be used to: Obtain information – stats, policies, positions Press for action Raise constituency issues Challenge Government policy Must have factual basis and relate to the running of a Government Department

21. Immobilisation of Vehicles – 10 October 2011 Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she expects to bring forward legislation in respect of vehicle clamping companies; and if she will make a statement. [72289] Lynne Featherstone: Clause 54 of the Protection of Freedoms Bill will make it an offence to immobilise, move or restrict the movement of a vehicle without lawful authority. In effect this will ban most clamping and towing by anyone other than the police, local authorities, bailiffs and other Government agencies. Subject to parliamentary approval, the Bill is expected to be enacted by May 2012. Our aim is to bring the ban on wheel clamping into force as soon as possible following Royal Assent.

22. Allow MPs and Members of the HoL to: Raise constituency issues or matters of regional, national or international significance Get the issue to the attention of a relevant minister Get a response from the Government

23. Westminster Hall debate - Motoring Fuel Costs Robert Halfon (Harlow) (Con): It is a privilege to speak under your chairmanship, Mrs Brooke. I am grateful to Mr Speaker for allowing this debate, and I want to congratulate FairFuelUK on its campaign for British motorists and for all the British businesses that have to buy petrol or diesel. Let us get one thing straight: cars, vans and lorries are the lifeblood of British industry. More than 34 million vehicles are licensed in this country, which is one for every two people. That is why the current cost of petrol and diesel is one of the biggest brakes on economic growth and is crucifying many families who are struggling to keep their heads above water. That is especially true in my constituency of Harlow, where high costs are hurting many small businesses. I want to look at the current situation, the record profits of energy companies and what is to be done. As The Sun newspaper said in its editorial last Saturday: Its welcome news that Parliament is to investigate why petrol prices remain sky- high even as the cost of oil plummets. While theyre at it, they can look at why gas customers face 19 per cent rises from a firm with annual profits of more than £1 billion. Consumers are being fleeced from all sides when buying essentials. It's time our MPs stood up for us. I am here, with my colleagues, to stand up for motorists.

25. UK Armed Forces in Afghanistan – 9 September 2010 Impact of the Comprehensive Spending Review – 4 November 2010 Future of pubs – 9 December 2010 Prisoner voting (reform) – 3 February 2011 Disclosure and publication of documents relating to the 1989 Hillsborough disaster (October 2011) National referendum on the European Union (October 2011)

26. Questions

27. www.parliament.uk 020 7219 4272 – Commons information 020 7219 3107 – Lords information Sharon Stanley – Outreach Officer West Midlands and East of England Email: stanleysh@parliament.uk Tel: 07917 488842