Lords legislation slides june 2015

© House of Lords 2015Tuesday 9 June 2015

Scrutiny of legislationin the House of Lords

Jake Vaughan, Clerk of Legislation, House of Lords

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State Opening of Parliament27 May 2015

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Different stages of Bill scrutiny

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Main stages of public bills in the House of Lords• First reading – formal, text is published• Second reading – debate on principles• Committee stage – detailed

examination. Debates on amendments• Report stage – more amendments• Third Reading – sometimes more

amendments• “Ping-pong” – resolving differences

between the two Houses

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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

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2015 Government Billsintroduced in the House of Lords

• Charities (Protection and Social Investment) Bill

• Childcare Bill• Cities and Local Government

Devolution Bill • Psychoactive Substances Bill

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Private Members’ Bills

• Same procedures as Government Bills

• Can be introduced by any Member

• 44 entered into the ballot

• More to be introduced later in the session

• Much lower chance of becoming law

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Draft Bills

• Draft Public Service Ombudsman Bill

• Proposals for a Draft Bill of Rights

• Others?

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Committee work

• 2014-15 – e.g. Affordable Childcare

• Permanent committees on e.g. EU matters

• New ad hoc inquiries:– Sexual violence in conflicts– National policy for the build

environment– Social mobility for school leavers– Disability provisions of the Equality

Act 2010

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Sources of information about legislative business in the

House• The Parliamentary website

www.parliament.uk

• The Government Whips Office website www.lordswhips.org.uk

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Bill pages

Timetable

Bills

Explanatory Notes

Amendments

Briefing papers

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Lists of amendments

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www.lordswhips.org.uk

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Members’ policy interests