Making an Act of Parliament BTEC Law P2 Unit 2.
This document contains a detailed description of the different Parliamentary stages a Bill must go through before becoming law. Green Paper, White Paper, First Reading, Second Reading, Committee Stage, Report Stage, Third Reading, Parliamentary Ping...
Green Papers are consultation documents issued by the Government. Ultimately,
the aim of this document is to enable people both inside and outside of Parliament
to give the department feedback on its legislative proposals or policy. People can
review publications and can express their opinions towards the content of certain
publications. Green Papers are the earliest form of new law and are documents
seeking discussion on an idea for a new law. Essentially, the Green Paper phase is
the first stage in establishing or enhancing legislation.
White Paper
White Papers are proposals for new laws which present the Government’s ideas on
an area of legislation and invite feedback. White Papers are published by
departments associated with the government and contain in-depth proposals for
future legislation. This stage enables final changes of proposals to be made before
a drafted Bill is formally presented to Parliament.
First Reading
The First Reading is when the title of the Bill is initially announced and copies of it
are distributed. First Readings give the Bill the opportunity to draw public and
governmental attention to the matter and express why the department feels new
legislation is needed. The First Reading allows the proposed Bill to be formally
introduced and matters surrounding it can be addressed. Moreover, the First
Reading is the first stage of a Bill’s parliamentary passage and generally, it’s a
formality hence it takes place without debate.
Second Reading
The Second Reading is the stage when the House debates the general principals
contained in the Bill. Normally, the Second Reading of a Government Bill is
approved and it’s very rare for a Bill to be denied a Second Reading. This Reading
is the first opportunity for members of the Lords to debate the main purpose of a Bill
and to flag up any concerns or specific areas where they believe amendments are
required. This stage can reveal those members particularly interested in a Bill, and
those who are most likely to be involved in suggesting modifications at later stages.
Generally, Second Reading debates only last for a few hours, however new
controversial content of a Bill can cause the debate to stretch over a couple of
days.
, Committee Stage
The Committee stage is where the Bill is subjected to detailed line by line
examination, and where its principals can be further debated and subsequently
amended. This stage usually commences within a couple of weeks of a Bill’s
second reading, and it takes place in both Houses of Parliament. Most Government
Bills are dealt with in a Public Bill Committee - if the Bill commences in the House
of Commons, the Committee is able to take evidence from experts and interest
groups from outside of Parliament. Starting from the front of the Bill, members work
through to the end; closely analysing each part and making any corrections where
appropriate. During this phase, every clause of the Bill has to be agreed to and
votes on any proposals for change can take place. Each suggested amendment
must be discussed and considered, and members can discuss specific issues
relating to the Bill during the Committee stage.
Report Stage
This is the stage in the legislative process when a Bill amended in the Committee
stage continues to be examined and is reviewed. During the Report stage, MPs
have a further opportunity to consider proposals for change to a Bill. All members of
the House are eligible to vote and speak at this stage, and amendments can be
finalised before being submitted. Each amendment is agreed on by all Members of
the House during this parliamentary procedure.
Third Reading
This is the third presentation of a Government Bill to a legislative assembly and it’s
the final chance to debate the contents of a Bill. During the Third Reading, the
House looks at the final version of the Bill in its entirety and concentrates on
ensuring that the eventual law is effective and workable. Generally, this stage is
fairly brief because there are no substantial amendments or adjustments being
made to the Bill. Amendments are not permitted at third reading in the Commons,
however they can be made to the Bill at third reading in the Lords. Towards the end
of the debate, the Bill is read with all amendments and the House votes on whether
to approve the third reading of the Bill; allowing it to progress onto the next stage.
Ultimately, the third stage involves both Houses taking an overview of the Bill as
finally amended, before its continuation through Parliament.
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