Government - Legislation

Before a government department produces a Bill it often releases a command paper (green paper or white paper), which is a statement of policy. After consultation this may be revised. The next stage is when a Bill is formally presented to the Houses of Parliament. Most Bills begin their journey in the House of Commons.

First reading - the first reading of a Bill is a formality.

Second reading - the Bill is proposed by a government minister in the House of Commons and is then debated, before being voted on. If the Bill is voted against then it will progress no further, though this very rarely happens. In the Lords the Bill will be proposed by the senior government spokesperson.

Committee stage - after its second reading a Bill is usually referred to a standing committee. Alternatively it may be referred to a Committee of the Whole House. The committee consider each Bill clause by clause and may make amendments. In the House of Lords there are no standing committees and the Bill usually goes through a Committee of the Whole House.

Report stage - this provides an opportunity for MPs who are not on the standing committee to propose amendments, which everyone can vote upon.

Third reading - in the Commons major amendments cannot be made at this stage and the debate is often short. In the Lords amendments can be made at this stage provided they have not been voted on earlier.

The 'Other House' - having completed its third reading the Bill is passed to the 'Other House' and goes through the same stages. Amendments made by the second house must be agreed to by the first. If agreement cannot be reached the Bill passes backwards and forwards between the two houses. There are limitations to the powers of the House of Lords and a Bill approved by the Lords that was unacceptable to the Commons would not be made law.