Part of Business of the House – in the House of Commons at 12:30 am on 6 May 1980.
Mr Nigel Spearing
, Newham South
12:30,
6 May 1980
I beg to move Amendment No. 22, in page 2, line 26, after 'London', insert 'Authority'.
As this is the last amendment, perhaps I shall have better luck with it.
The short title says:
This Act may be cited as the Port of London (Financial Assistance) Act 1980.
For reasons that I have made abundantly clear both on Second Reading and in Committee, I believe that that is misleading, and that it should read "Port of London Authority (Financial Assistance) Act".
I do not think that I need give further reasons. I believe that that would more accurately describe the Bill's contents. It would, perhaps, draw attention to the fact that the port of London is not the Port of London Authority, and that would be better for all concerned.
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.
As a bill passes through Parliament, MPs and peers may suggest amendments - or changes - which they believe will improve the quality of the legislation.
Many hundreds of amendments are proposed by members to major bills as they pass through committee stage, report stage and third reading in both Houses of Parliament.
In the end only a handful of amendments will be incorporated into any bill.
The Speaker - or the chairman in the case of standing committees - has the power to select which amendments should be debated.
