Part of the debate – in the House of Commons at on 20 March 1935.
Lieut-General Edward Fitzroy
, Daventry
I have to inform the Committee of what took place at the recent meeting of the small committee of Members, representative of the various groups in the House of Commons. Before doing so, perhaps I ought to mention where we stand now as to the consideration of this Bill. The question immediately before the Committee is "That Clause 52, as amended, stand part of the Bill," and I hope that that may go through possibly without any further talk.
The House of Commons is one of the houses of parliament. Here, elected MPs (elected by the "commons", i.e. the people) debate. In modern times, nearly all power resides in this house. In the commons are 650 MPs, as well as a speaker and three deputy speakers.
A parliamentary bill is divided into sections called clauses.
Printed in the margin next to each clause is a brief explanatory `side-note' giving details of what the effect of the clause will be.
During the committee stage of a bill, MPs examine these clauses in detail and may introduce new clauses of their own or table amendments to the existing clauses.
When a bill becomes an Act of Parliament, clauses become known as sections.
