© House of Lords 2014 Thursday 5 June 2014 The Queen’s Speech and the scrutiny of legislation in the House of Lords Jake Vaughan, Clerk of Legislation, House of Lords
© House of Lords 2014Thursday 5 June 2014
The Queen’s Speech and the scrutiny of legislation in the House of LordsJake Vaughan, Clerk of Legislation, House of Lords
© House of Lords 2014
State Opening of Parliament4 June 2014
© House of Lords 2014
© House of Lords 2014
2014 Government Billsto start in the House of Lords
• Serious Crime Bill• Infrastructure Bill• Armed Forces (Service Complaints and Financial Assistance) Bill
© House of Lords 2014
Private Members’ Bills• Same procedures as Government
Bills• Can be introduced by any Member• Over 20 introduced in Lords last
session• Much lower chance of becoming law
© House of Lords 2014
Different stages of Bill scrutiny
© House of Lords 2014
Main stages of public bills in the House of Lords• First reading – formal, allows text to be
published• Second reading – debate on principles• Committee stage – detailed
examination. Debates on amendments• Report stage – more debates on
amendments• Third Reading – sometimes more
debates on amendments• “Ping-pong” – resolution of differences
between the two Houses
© House of Lords 2014
© House of Lords 2014
Similar but not the same: Lords / Commons procedures
• No formal programming of bills in the Lords: timetabling is less certain
• Committee stage normally open to all members. No evidence taking
• No selection of amendments – all relevant amendments tabled can be debated
• Third Reading on a separate day
© House of Lords 2014
Sources of information about legislative business in the
House• The Parliamentary website
www.parliament.uk
• The Government Whips Office website www.lordswhips.org.uk
© House of Lords 2014
© House of Lords 2014
Bill pages
TimetableBills
Explanatory Notes
Amendments
Briefing papers
© House of Lords 2014
Lists of amendments
© House of Lords 2014
© House of Lords 2014
www.lordswhips.org.uk
© House of Lords 2014
Draft Bills
• Draft Protection of Charities Bill• Draft Governance of National Parks (England) and the Broads Bill• Draft Riot (Damages) Act Bill
© House of Lords 2014
The End