Glossary

Decision on the Voices

A decision made when the House agrees or rejects a question without a recorded division.

Declaration

The formal announcement of an election result.

Declaration of Interests

A statement by an MP about a relevant interest when taking part in parliamentary proceedings or communications.

Deferred Division

A Commons division postponed to a later scheduled time rather than taken immediately after debate.

Delegated Legislation

Law made under powers granted by an Act, rather than made directly through a new Act itself.

Delegated Legislation Committee

A Commons committee that debates certain statutory instruments and other delegated legislation.

Delegated Power

A power given by Parliament allowing ministers or another body to make detailed legal rules or take related action later.

Delegated Powers and Regulatory Reform Committee

Abbreviation: DPRRC

A House of Lords committee that examines whether bills give ministers inappropriate delegated powers.

Delegated Powers Memorandum

A document explaining why a bill gives ministers or others powers to make delegated legislation.

Department for Business and Trade

Abbreviation: DBT

The UK Government department responsible for business, trade, investment and economic growth policy.

Department for Culture, Media and Sport

Abbreviation: DCMS

The UK Government department responsible for culture, media, sport, tourism and parts of the creative economy.

Department for Education

Abbreviation: DfE

The UK Government department responsible for education, children’s services and skills policy in England.

Department for Energy Security and Net Zero

Abbreviation: DESNZ

The UK Government department responsible for energy policy, energy security and net zero policy.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Abbreviation: Defra

The UK Government department responsible for the environment, farming, food, rural affairs and animal welfare.

Department for Science, Innovation and Technology

Abbreviation: DSIT

The UK Government department responsible for science, research, innovation, technology and digital policy.

Department for Transport

Abbreviation: DfT

The UK Government department responsible for transport policy in England and reserved transport matters across the UK.

Department for Work and Pensions

Abbreviation: DWP

The UK Government department responsible for welfare, pensions and employment support.

Department of Health and Social Care

Abbreviation: DHSC

The UK Government department responsible for health and adult social care policy in England.

Departmental Expenditure Limit

Abbreviation: DEL

A Treasury spending control covering planned departmental spending.

Departmental Questions

Commons oral questions addressed to ministers from a specific government department.

Deposit

A sum of money a parliamentary candidate must pay when standing for election.

Deposited Paper

A document placed in the Library of either House, often by a minister in response to a parliamentary question.

Devolution

The transfer of powers from the UK Parliament to institutions in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Devolved Administration

A government in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland with powers transferred from Westminster.

Devolved Matter

A policy area where responsibility has been transferred to a devolved institution.

Dissolution of Parliament

The formal end of a Parliament before a general election.

Division

A formal vote in Parliament where members are counted for each side.

Division Lobby

One of the lobbies used by MPs to vote in a Commons division.

Division Number

An official reference number used to identify a recorded parliamentary division.

Donations and Other Support

Financial or material support received by an MP for activities as a Member of Parliament.

Draft Bill

A proposed bill published in draft form before being formally introduced in Parliament.

Draft Statutory Instrument

A proposed statutory instrument laid before Parliament before it is formally made.

Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency

Abbreviation: DVLA

The agency responsible for maintaining driver and vehicle records in Great Britain.

Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency

Abbreviation: DVSA

The agency responsible for driving tests, vehicle standards and roadworthiness services in Great Britain.