X-Nico

60 unusual facts about Parliament of the United Kingdom


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.

Alexander Walkden, 1st Baron Walkden

Walkden unsuccessfully stood for Parliament as the Labour candidate in Wolverhampton West at the 1918 general election, at a by-election in 1922 and at the 1922 general election.

Apportionment Act 1820

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

Assets Recovery Agency

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

Bamford, Greater Manchester

The Bamford ward lies in the Heywood and Middleton represented in Parliament by Jim Dobbin (of the Labour Party).

Baron Braybrooke

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

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.

Conservation of Seals Act 1970

The Conservation of Seals Act 1970 (c. 30) is an Act of 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.

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.

Criminal Attempts Act 1981

The Criminal Attempts Act 1981 (c 47) 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.

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.

Edward Major

Major was closely associated with Puritan settlers in the colony, and was elected Speaker of the House of Burgesses in 1652, just after Virginia acceeded to the authority of Parliament following the execution of King Charles I.

Ethel Gordon Fenwick

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

Ethel Gordon Fenwick (26 January 1857 – 13 March 1947) was a British nurse who campaigned to procure a nationally recognised certificate for nursing, to safeguard the title "Nurse", and lobbied Parliament to introduce a law to control nursing and limit it to "registered" nurses only.

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.

Frederick Wise, 1st Baron Wise

He finally entered Parliament at the 1945 general election, when Labour's post-war landslide help him win a majority of 3,274 votes in Conservative-held King's Lynn.

Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons

The Chief Inspector is not operationally part of HM Prison Service or the Ministry of Justice, and both have been criticised at times in the reports issued by the Chief Inspector after prison visits, or in their Annual Report, delivered to the Justice Secretary and presented to Parliament.

Hereditary Revenues Act 1856

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

Hill Farming Act 1946

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

I Live in Grosvenor Square

He is befriended by the Duke and British paratrooper Major David Bruce (Rex Harrison), who has taken leave to contest a parliamentary by-election.

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.

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).

Maltese United Kingdom integration referendum, 1956

Under the proposals Malta would retain its own parliament, but would also elect members to the British parliament.

Metropolitan Police Act 1933

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

National Insurance Contributions Act 2006

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

Netherton, Merseyside

For parliamentary elections Netherton is within the Bootle constituency represented by the Labour Party MP Joe Benton.

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.

Notrim

On 6 August 1940 Anthony Eden, the British Secretary of War, informed Parliament that the Cabinet had decided to recruit Arab and Jewish units as battalions of the Royal East Kent Regiment (the "Buffs").

Nottingham Corporation Tramways

Both these lines were incorporated in a Bill before Parliament in 1920, the Beeston and Chilwell line being passed, and the Hucknall line being passed subject to the completion of certain road works.

Orrell, Merseyside

For parliamentary elections Orrell is within the Bootle constituency represented by the Labour Party MP Joe Benton.

Palliser novels

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

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.

Savings Accounts and Health in Pregnancy Grant Act 2010

The Savings Accounts and Health in Pregnancy Grant Act 2010 (c. 36) is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom.

Security of the Sovereign Act 1714

The Security of the Sovereign Act 1714 (1 Geo. I. St. 2, c. 13.) 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.

Simon Hoggart

His published books form an eclectic list, including debunking the supernatural, anecdotes about Parliament, a biography, his thoughts about the United States, a serious political review, and collected Christmas round-robin letters.

Supreme Court of Judicature Act 1899

The Supreme Court of Judicature Act 1899 (62 & 63 Vict c 6) was an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom.

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 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.

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.

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.

Town Police Clauses Act 1847

The Town Police Clauses Act 1847 is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom (10 & 11 Vict c. 89).

Truck Act 1940

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

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.

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.

Wireless Telegraphy Act 2006

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

Work and Families Act 2006

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


Adrian Sanders

Following the 2001 election, Sanders was made the Liberal Democrat spokesman for Tourism, and was subsequently moved to the position of Deputy Chief Whip of the Party in Parliament.

Alvington, Gloucestershire

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

Any Questions?

When the programme was first broadcast there was a rule that no questions could be asked on topics that had been discussed in the Houses of Parliament during the last two weeks.

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.

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.

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 Dukes, 1st Baron Dukeston

When Labour split in 1931 over the handling of budgetary response to the Great Depression, Dukes was defeated in the subsequent general election, and did not stand for election to the House of Commons again.

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);

Constitution Act, 1982

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

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.

Drug Trafficking Offences Act 1986

The Drug Trafficking Offences Act 1986 was the first act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom specifically dealing with laundering the proceeds of drug trafficking.

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.

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.

Hawkenbury, Tunbridge Wells

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

Holy Trinity Church, Kingswood

It was one of the first churches built from funds voted by Parliament to mark Napoleon's defeat at Waterloo, and hence known as a "Waterloo Church".

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.

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.

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.

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.

Stephen Crabb

In 1996 he became a parliamentary affairs officer for the National Council for Voluntary Youth Services, before working at the London Chamber of Commerce in 1998: he left them in 2002 as the policy and campaigns manager.

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.

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.

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.