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

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State Opening of Parliament4 June 2014

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2014 Government Billsto start in the House of Lords

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

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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

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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, 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

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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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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

TimetableBills

Explanatory Notes

Amendments

Briefing papers

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Lists of amendments

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www.lordswhips.org.uk

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Draft Bills

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

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The End