Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill — Second Reading (2nd Day)

Part of the debate – in the House of Lords at 4:13 pm on 4 June 2013.

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Photo of Lord Cope of Berkeley Lord Cope of Berkeley Conservative 4:13, 4 June 2013

I think that my noble friend exaggerates when he says that there have been numerous examples. There have been examples, of course, mainly of Private Members’ Bills being defeated at Second Reading when they were being put forward by noble Lords in this House, but that is a different matter. I also draw my noble friend’s attention to the fact that Bills like the one to which he refers, the War Crimes Bill, have nevertheless become law without the House of Lords being able to contribute through a Committee stage to the detailed provisions of it. We have had numerous references in the debate to matters that require further discussion but by definition, if the Parliament Act is used, it is the Bill as it stands that becomes law in those cases.