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Clause 20. — (Short title.)

Orders of the Day — Indian Independence Bill – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 14 July 1947.

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Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Clause stand part of the Bill."

Photo of Sir Godfrey Nicholson Sir Godfrey Nicholson , Farnham

I think it would be proper for me to express my opinion that it is a great pity that there is no Preamble to the Bill. I think a Preamble would be a graceful act on the part of the Government.

Photo of Mr Douglas Clifton Brown Mr Douglas Clifton Brown , Hexham

I do not think that question arises here.

Question put, and agreed to.

Clause ordered to stand part of the Bill.

First Schedule agreed to.

Clause

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.