house of lords queen's speech presentation

© 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


2014 Government Billsto start in the House of Lords

• Serious Crime Bill• Infrastructure Bill• Armed Forces (Service Complaints and Financial Assistance) Bill


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


Different stages of Bill scrutiny


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


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


Sources of information about legislative business in the

House• The Parliamentary website

www.parliament.uk

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

http://www.parliament.uk/

http://www.lordswhips.org.uk/


Bill pages

TimetableBills

Explanatory Notes

Amendments

Briefing papers


Lists of amendments


www.lordswhips.org.uk


Draft Bills

• Draft Protection of Charities Bill• Draft Governance of National Parks (England) and the Broads Bill• Draft Riot (Damages) Act Bill


The End

house of lords queen's speech presentation

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