The making of laws in Britain takes a long time. Government bills gestate slowly, being conceived in some policy statement or the administrative failings of earlier legislation. Originally published in 1974, this book is concerned to try to estimate the impact which Parliamentary scrutiny has on Government bills; other influences are referred to only so far as they operate through Parliamentarians as revealed in Parliamentary proceedings.

The method adopted is to describe the ways in which the House of Commons scrutinises Government bills; and to examine in detail the extent of this scrutiny in three recent sessions: 1967–68, 1968–69 and 1970–71. A chapter on the House of Lords considers the extent to which that House exerts its impact. Finally, some conclusions are drawn and proposals made.

It was hoped that this examination would indicate some of the many directions in which further research into the day-to-day working of Parliament could be conducted. Today it can be read in its historical context.