Part of the debate – in a Public Bill Committee at 3:30 pm on 21 July 2014.
David Crausby
Labour, Bolton North East
3:30,
21 July 2014
Before we begin, I have a few preliminary announcements. First, please switch electronic devices to silent. Tea and coffee are not allowed during sittings.
Today, the Committee will be asked to consider the programme motion on the Amendment paper, on which debate is limited to half an hour. We will then consider a motion to permit the Committee to deliberate in private in advance of the oral evidence session, followed by a motion to report written evidence. In view of the time available, I hope we can take those matters formally. Assuming agreement, we will then move into private session to agree questions. Witnesses and members of the public will then be invited back into the room and our oral evidence session will begin.
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.
