What is the role of the Speaker?

The Speaker chairs debates, maintains order, and ensures fair proceedings. The Speaker must be politically neutral and does not vote except to break ties.

What are Prime Minister's Questions?

PMQs is a weekly session (Wednesdays at noon) where the Prime Minister answers questions from MPs. It is a key part of holding the government to account.

House of Commons, MPs and the Speaker: Life in the UK Test

Key facts

MPs: 650
Type: Elected (lower house)
Key power: Controls taxation and spending
Chair: The Speaker
Location: Palace of Westminster

The House of Commons is the elected chamber of the UK Parliament and the centre of British democratic life. It is where laws are made, governments are formed, and national debates take place.

Composition

The House of Commons has 650 Members of Parliament (MPs):

Each MP represents a constituency (a local area)
MPs are elected in general elections
Any British, Irish, or Commonwealth citizen over 18 can stand for election

Functions

The Commons has several vital functions:

Making Laws

Introduces and debates bills
Votes on legislation
Has primacy over the House of Lords

Controlling Finance

Only the Commons can authorise taxation
Approves government spending
Scrutinises the budget

Holding Government to Account

Prime Minister's Questions (PMQs) every Wednesday
Select Committees investigate government departments
Debates and votes on government policy

Forming Government

The Prime Minister must command a majority in the Commons
Votes of no confidence can bring down a government

How It Works

The Speaker chairs debates and maintains order
MPs sit on benches facing each other (government vs opposition)
Voting is by walking through lobbies ("Aye" or "No")
Most business is set by the government, but opposition and backbench MPs have designated days

Important Traditions

The Speaker calls "Order, Order!" to start proceedings
MPs address each other as "The Honourable Member for..."
The mace (a ceremonial object) must be present for business to be conducted

Why it comes up in the test

Know the number of MPs (650), that the Commons is elected, and that it controls taxation and forms governments.

Common traps

Confusing the number of MPs with Lords
Forgetting that only the Commons can authorise taxes
Not knowing that the Prime Minister must have Commons support

House of Commons: common questions

There are 650 Members of Parliament in the House of Commons. Each represents a constituency and is elected by voters in that area.

Written from Life in the United Kingdom: A Guide for New Residents (3rd edition), the only official source for the test. BritPass is not affiliated with the Home Office; if anything here differs from the handbook, the handbook is right.