Orders of the Day — Private Members' Bills – in the House of Commons at 2:26 pm on 28 June 1991.
Mr Tony Benn
, Chesterfield
On a point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker. Earlier, I raised the question of the Queen's consent having been signified before the Bill was put to the House. There is present in the Chamber a Privy Councillor authorised to give the consent.
Miss Betty Boothroyd
Deputy Speaker (Second Deputy Chairman of Ways and Means)
The objection was raised before that point was reached.
A proposal for new legislation that is debated by Parliament.
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.
The Deputy speaker is in charge of proceedings of the House of Commons in the absence of the Speaker.
The deputy speaker's formal title is Chairman of Ways and Means, one of whose functions is to preside over the House of Commons when it is in a Committee of the Whole House.
The deputy speaker also presides over the Budget.
