– in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 12 February 1954.
Mr Herbert Williams
, Croydon East
On a point of order. Is it in order, Sir, to proceed to the Second Reading of a Bill which has not been printed, owing to the carelessness of the hon. Member who should have moved its Second Reading?
Mr William Morrison
, Cirencester and Tewkesbury
While not accepting that, I should say that there is nothing to stop a Bill being read a Second time, although not printed, although the usual procedure is to postpone consideration of it. Does the hon. Member object?
Mr Herbert Williams
, Croydon East
Yes, Sir.
The Second Reading is the most important stage for a Bill. It is when the main purpose of a Bill is discussed and voted on. If the Bill passes it moves on to the Committee Stage. Further information can be obtained from factsheet L1 on the UK Parliament website.
