X-Nico

64 unusual facts about Parliament of the United Kingdom


A Death in the Small Hours

When selected to make the opening speech at the next session of Parliament, he takes up an offer to spend some time at his uncle’s estate in Somerset.

Accessories and Abettors Act 1861

The Accessories and Abettors Act 1861 (24 & 25 Vict. c.98) is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland (as it then was).

Act of Uniformity Amendment Act 1872

The Act of Uniformity Amendment Act 1872 (35 & 36 Vict. c. 35), sometimes called the Shortened Services Act, was an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom that amended some of the provisions of the English Act of Uniformity 1662.

Assets Recovery Agency

The ARA was a non-Ministerial Department, meaning it answered to Parliament directly rather than to a Minister.

Attempted Rape Act 1948

The Attempted Rape Act 1948 (11&12 Geo. 6 c. 19) was an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom that increased the maximum sentence for attempted rape from 2 years imprisonment to 7 years penal servitude.

Baron Braybrooke

He had previously represented Grampound, Buckingham and Reading in Parliament and later served as Lord Lieutenant of Essex.

Battle of Kandahar

For his services, General Roberts received the thanks of Parliament, and was appointed both Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath (GCB) and Companion of the Order of the Indian Empire (CIE) in 1880, becoming a baronet the following year.

Bexhill West Branch Line

Local residents were opposed to the plan, and a question was asked in Parliament by Neill Cooper-Key regarding the preservation of the viaduct, which was not listed.

Canada Act 1982

The Canada Act 1982 (1982 c. 11) is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom that was passed at the request of the Canadian federal government to "patriate" Canada's constitution, ending the necessity for the country to request certain types of amendment to the Constitution of Canada to be made by the British parliament.

Charles Chetwynd-Talbot, 22nd Earl of Shrewsbury

Lord Shrewsbury sits in the House of Lords as one of the remaining 'elected' Hereditary Peers in Parliament and takes the Conservative Whip.

Chelsea Hospital Act 1843

The Chelsea Hospital Act 1843 (6 & 7 Vict c 31) is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom.

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar

The council was created in 1975, 57 years after the creation of Na h-Eileanan an Iar for elections to the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom (the constituency being named, when created, Western Isles).

Commonwealth Secretariat Act 1966

The Commonwealth Secretariat Act 1966 was an act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom that established the legal character of the Secretariat of the Commonwealth of Nations.

Conservation of Seals Act 1970

The Conservation of Seals Act 1970 (c. 30) is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom.

Constitution Act, 1982

In 1931, the British Parliament enacted the Statute of Westminster, 1931.

Controversies related to chronic fatigue syndrome

A 2006 investigation by a group from the Parliament of the United Kingdom found there was not enough support in the UK for CFS patients in terms of access to social security and health care.

Corruption of Blood Act 1814

The Corruption of Blood Act 1814 (54 Geo. 3 c. 145) was an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland which abolished corruption of blood for all crimes except high treason, petty treason and murder.

County Courts Act 1984

The County Courts Act 1984 (c. 28) is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom; the long title of the Act is "An Act to consolidate certain enactments relating to county courts".

Criminal Justice Act 1925

The Criminal Justice Act 1925 (15 & 16 Geo.5 c.86) is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom.

Criminal law consolidation Acts 1861

The criminal law consolidation Acts 1861 (24 & 25 Vict. cc. 94 - 100) were Acts of the Parliament of the United Kingdom.

Disability Discrimination Act 2005

The Disability Discrimination Act 2005 (c 13) is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom.

Dorking railway station

In 1845-6, the "Direct London and Portsmouth Railway" was authorised by parliament to run south from Epsom to Dorking on to Godalming, Havant and Portsmouth.

Duke of Norfolk

In addition to the title of Duke of Norfolk, the Dukes of Norfolk also hold the hereditary position of Earl Marshal, which has the duty of organizing state occasions such as the state opening of Parliament.

England in 1819

Meanwhile, the army is corrupt and dangerous to liberty, the laws are harsh and useless, religion has lost its morality, and Parliament (the "Senate") is a relic.

Ethel Gordon Fenwick

Ethel's mother then married George Storer, a Member of Parliament.

External relations of the Isle of Man

The Parliament of the United Kingdom has paramount power to legislate for the Isle of Man on all matters but it is a long-standing convention that it does not do so on domestic ('insular') matters without Tynwald's consent.

Falkirk West

Falkirk West (UK Parliament constituency) — a constituency that was represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom between 1983 and 2005.

Friendly Societies Act 1875

The Friendly Societies Act 1875 was an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom passed by Benjamin Disraeli's Conservative Government following the publication of the Royal Commission on Friendly Societies' Final Report.

Galtee Rovers GAA

One of the Club leaders in its formative years was Mr. John Cullinane, M.P. who was a native of Bansha and represented County Tipperary as a Nationalist member of Parliament at Westminster from 1900 to 1918.

Hill Farming Act 1946

The Hill Farming Act 1946 is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom.

Horserace Betting and Olympic Lottery Act 2004

The Horserace Betting and Olympic Lottery Act 2004 (c 25) is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom.

Investment Exchanges and Clearing Houses Act 2006

The Investment Exchanges and Clearing Houses Act 2006 (c 55) is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom.

Joan Child

There was some discussion of the old Speaker's Chair, which had been a gift from the Parliament of the United Kingdom, moving with the Parliament, but Child, as Speaker, refused to move the chair.

Judicial independence

The Stuart dynasty used this power frequently in order to overpower Parliament.

Keeper of the Seals

Prior to the Constitutional Reform Act 2005, the office had had substantial legislative, executive, and judicial power; the Act stripped the Lord Chancellor non-executive functions (besides sitting in Parliament when held by an MP or a Peer entitled to a seat in the Lords).

Laxdale Hall

A British parliamentary delegation is dispatched to the Scottish Highlands where the residents are protesting at their poor links with the outside world.

Lyana Armstrong-Emery

She and her party strongly supported Gibraltarian representation in the Parliament at Westminster and in the European Parliament.

Metropolitan Police Act 1933

The Metropolitan Police Act was a 1933 Act of Parliament initiated by the Parliament of the United Kingdom.

Mount Henry Lucy

It was discovered by the British Antarctic Expedition, 1907–09, and named for Henry Lucy, M.P., who publicized Ernest Shackleton's expedition and assisted in obtaining a financial grant from Parliament for the expedition.

National Insurance Contributions Act 2006

The National Insurance Contributions Act 2006 (c 10) is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom.

Newspaper Publication Act 1798

The Newspaper Publication Act 1798 (38 Geo. III, c. 78) was an Act passed by the British Parliament.

Northern Ireland Assembly Elections Act 2003

The Northern Ireland Assembly Elections Act 2003 (c 3) is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom.

Nurseries and Child-Minders Regulation Act 1948

The Nurseries and Child-Minders Regulation Act 1948 was an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom.

Palliser novels

The plots involve British and Irish politics in varying degrees, specifically in and around Parliament.

Partnership Act 1890

The Partnership Act 1890 (c. 39) is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, which governs the rights and duties of people who carry on business in common with a view to profit.

Philip Norton, Baron Norton of Louth

He has been described as "the United Kingdom's greatest living expert on Parliament" and "a world authority on constitutional issues".

Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011

The Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 (c. 13) is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom.

Police Reservists Act 1902

The Police Reservists Act 1902 (2 Edw 7 c. 10) was an Act of Parliament of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, given the royal assent on 22 July 1902 and repealed shortly thereafter.

Prevention of Crimes Amendment Act 1885

The Prevention of Crimes Amendment Act 1885 (48 & 49 Vict. c. 75) was an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom.

Sexual Offences Act 1956

The Sexual Offences Act 1956 (4 & 5 Eliz.2 c.69) is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom that consolidated the English criminal law relating to sexual offences between 1957 and 2004.

Sexual Offences Act 1985

The Sexual Offences Act 1985 (c.44) was an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom that created two offences concerning prostitution, and increased the maximum sentence for attempted rape from 7 years to life imprisonment.

Supreme Court of Judicature Act 1910

The Supreme Court of Judicature Act 1910 (10 Edw 7 & 1 Geo 5 c 12) was an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom.

The Day They Robbed the Bank of England

Meanwhile, O'Shea announces that the Irish Home Rule Bill has been reintroduced in Parliament and that the bank heist must be halted to prevent jeopardising the bill's passage.

The Right to Know

He states that a minister has just three functions: to act as the department's PR man, to steer its legislation through Parliament, and to fight for its budget.

The Tragic Muse

Despite his misgivings Nick goes through an election campaign and wins a seat in Parliament.

Throne room

Although the primary purpose and reputation of the Palace of Westminster is as the seat of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, it is also officially a royal residence.

Unlawful Oaths Act 1797

The Unlawful Oaths Act 1797 (37 Geo. III, c. 123) was an Act passed by the British Parliament.

Vehicle Registration Marks Act 2007

The Vehicle Registration Marks Act 2007 (c 14) is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom.

Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006

The Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006 (c. 38) is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom.

Waste and Emissions Trading Act 2003

The Waste and Emissions Trading Act 2003 (c 33) is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom.

Westminster Abbey by-election

Westminster Abbey by-election could refer to four by-elections held for the Parliament of the United Kingdom;

Westminster Live

Westminster Live was a weekly television programme focusing on political developments within the Parliament of the United Kingdom.

William Samuel Johnson

Johnson was first attracted to the Patriot cause by what he and his associates considered Parliament's unwarranted interference in the government of the colonies.

Work and Families Act 2006

The Work and Families Act 2006 (c 18) is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom.


Abjuration

In England, an Oath of Abjuration was taken by Members of Parliament, clergy, and laymen, pledging to support the current British monarch and repudiated the right of the Stuarts and other claimants to the throne.

Alvington, Gloucestershire

The Forest of Dean is represented in Parliament by Mark Harper MP (Conservative Party).

Apportionment Act 1820

The Apportionment Act 1820 (1 Geo 4 c 108) was an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom.

Arthur Charles Innes

Arthur Charles Innes, was an Irish Conservative Party Member of the Parliament of the United Kingdom who represented the constituency of Newry.

Blackwall Buildings

Originally built by the Great Eastern Railway Blackwall Buildings were started because of an obligation created by Parliament when large scale Engineering works were constructed and a number of houses were demolished, that these dwellings were replaced and the people were re-housed.

Business, Innovation and Skills Committee

The Business, Innovation and Skills Select Committee is a select committee of the House of Commons in the Parliament of the United Kingdom, that came into existence on 1 October 2009, replacing the Business and Enterprise Select Committee, which was dissolved on 30 September 2009.

Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act 1960

The Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act 1960 was an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom that regulated caravan sites.

Charles Curtis Craig

Craig first stood for Parliament at a by-election in 1903 for the South Antrim constituency, after the sitting Unionist MP William Ellison-Macartney had left the Commons to take up the post of Deputy-Master of the Royal Mint.

Chris Pond

At the May 2005 general election, he lost his seat in Parliament to the Conservative Party candidate, Adam Holloway.

Coat of arms of Canberra

The crowned portcullis again symbolises the parliament, this being the traditional symbol of the Palace of Westminster (which houses the Parliament of the United Kingdom);

Constitutional debate in Canada

The 1982 constitutional reform introduced an amendment process that no longer involved the approval of the Parliament of the United Kingdom.

Criminal Attempts Act 1981

The Criminal Attempts Act 1981 (c 47) is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom.

Hawkenbury, Tunbridge Wells

Hawkenbury is part of the constituency of Tunbridge Wells at a national level, and South East England at a European level.

Hereditary Revenues Act 1856

The Hereditary Revenues Act 1856 (19 & 20 Vict c 43) was an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom.

INS Dweeprakshak

The Lakshadweep islands were a part of the Madras Presidency under the British Raj and in accordance with the Indian Independence Act 1947, enacted by the British parliament, the islands were transferred to the new Union of India.

Judicial independence

The first is that Parliament does not comment on the cases which are before the court.

Local Government Act 1948

The Local Government Act 1948 was an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom.

Maastricht Treaty

In the United Kingdom, an opt-out from the treaty's social provisions was opposed in Parliament by the opposition Labour and Liberal Democrat MPs and the treaty itself by the Maastricht Rebels within the governing Conservative Party.

Matthew Montagu, 4th Baron Rokeby

He represented the Cornish constituencies of Bossiney (1786–90), Tregony (1790–95) and St Germans (1806–12) in the British Parliament and succeeded his brother as 4th Baron Rokeby in 1829.

No Love for Johnnie

It was based on the book of the same title by the Member of Parliament Wilfred Fienburgh and stars Peter Finch.

Norden, Greater Manchester

As a result of changes to boundaries, Norden ward is divided between Heywood and Middleton and Rochdale constituencies, represented in Parliament by Jim Dobbin (of the Labour Party) and Simon Danczuk (also of the Labour Party).

Police Act 1996

The Police Act 1996 (c 16) is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom which defined the current police areas in England and Wales, constituted the current police authorities for those areas, and set out the relationship between the Home Secretary and the English and Welsh territorial police forces.

Seditious libel

A statement is seditious if it "brings into hatred or contempt" either the Queen or her heirs, the government and constitution, either House of Parliament, the administration of justice, if it incites people to attempt to change any matter of Church or State established by law (except by lawful means), or if it promotes discontent among or hostility between British subjects.

Supreme Court of Judicature Act 1902

The Supreme Court of Judicature Act 1902 (2 Edw 7 c 31) was an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom.

The Long Arm of Looney Coote

There, after heavily plugging a bookmaking business he has become partner in, Ukridge hears that his old pal Boko Lawlor is standing for Parliament in the forthcoming by-election at Redbridge, and goes down to help.

The Man on the Moor

It is an assertion strongly denied by her daughter Charlotte Waters, married to James Waters, a junior government minister who is worried that such rumours could prejudice his parliamentary career.

Truck Act 1940

The Truck Act 1940 (3 & 4 Geo 6 c 38) was an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom.

Wallace Lawler

Lawler first stood for Parliament as Liberal candidate in Dudley in the Black Country at the 1955 general election coming third with under 10% of the vote and losing his deposit.

Western European Summer Time

Starting in 1916, the dates for the beginning and end of BST each year were mandated by the Parliament of the United Kingdom.

William Nightingale

In 1817, when he was 23 and she 29, he married Frances "Fanny" Smith (1789–1880), from Parndon in Essex, daughter of the abolitionist, Whig member of Parliament, William Smith.

Wireless Telegraphy Act 2006

The Wireless Telegraphy Act 2006 (c 36) is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom.

Working Men's Club and Institute Union

Together with other club organisations such as the Royal British Legion the Association of Conservative Clubs, The National Union of Liberal Clubs and The National Union of Labour and Socialist Clubs the CIU is part of CORCA (Confederation of Registered Club Associations) which lobbies Parliament on behalf of clubs.