Part of Debt Relief (Developing Countries) Bill – in a Public Bill Committee at 9:30 am on 9 March 2010.
John Hemming
Liberal Democrat, Birmingham, Yardley
9:30,
9 March 2010
I am sorry, but I cannot agree with the Amendment if it is pushed to a vote. The Clause is about identifying countries to which the Bill, which is effectively a form of creditors’ voluntary arrangement whereby everyone will get the same poundage, will apply. More complex issues that relate to how enforceable the Bill will be—the issue is an international one, and the Bill will only affect the UK’s jurisdiction—are for later. Logically, if we are to have a creditors’ voluntary arrangement whereby everyone gets a poundage, all creditors should get the same poundage. That should apply to all countries where that process occurs.
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.
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.
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.
