British Citizenship Test

Can the House of Commons overrule the House of Lords?

1. Yes, always

2. No, never

3. Only in certain circumstances

4. Only if agreed by the Prime Minister

The correct answer is: Yes, always

The relationship between the House of Commons and the House of Lords is central to the workings of the UK Parliament. The House of Commons can indeed overrule the House of Lords, but it's important to understand the nuances of this interaction. The Commons has supremacy over the Lords when it comes to legislation. If the House of Lords votes against a bill that has been approved by the House of Commons, the Commons can ultimately pass that bill without the Lords' consent through a procedure known as 'ping pong,' where a bill is repeatedly sent back and forth between the two houses until an agreement is reached, or the Commons can ultimately use the Parliament Acts of 1911 and 1949 to bypass the Lords entirely for certain types of legislation. However, this supremacy does not mean that the House of Commons can disregard the House of Lords without implications; the Lords play a critical role in reviewing legislation, offering amendments, and scrutinizing government actions, which can influence the decision-making of the Commons. In summary, while the House of Commons does have the power to overrule the House of Lords, this authority is not absolute and is exercised within the framework of parliamentary processes established to maintain checks and balances.