Part of Criminal Justice Bill – in a Public Bill Committee at 6:30 pm on 21 January 2003.
Vera Baird
Labour, Redcar
6:30,
21 January 2003
I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman and have great respect for his views. I do not in any way take lightly what he advocates. However, those who argue against that step say that there is a danger of harassment. If the provisions were used improperly, and resulted in harassment, there would certainly be an action for compensation.
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.
