a BILL

A Bill- Law
A Bill is a proposal for a new law, or a proposal to change a law which already exists.
House Of Commons

The first stage starts at the House of Commons. It starts off with the first reading, which is a formal introduction. This takes place without debate. In the first reading the short title of the Bill is read out and is followed by an order for the Bill to be printed. The Bill is published as a House of Commons paper for the first time.
After the first reading, there is a second reading which is the first opportunity for MP’s to debate the main principles of the bill. After the debate, the Commons decides if the Bill should be given its second reading.
After the stage of the second reading, there is the Committee stage, this is where each part of the bill is examined and any amendments of the bill are discussed. If there were any amendments to the bill, it would be reprinted and the bill would then be returned to the floor of the House of Commons for its report stage.
The report stage gives the whole house a chance to discuss and amend the bill. All the MP’s can suggest amendments or new parts which should be added to the bill. The MP’s can speak or vote.
Following on from the report stage, there is a third reading. The third reading is the final opportunity for the commons to debate the bill, however amendments cannot be made. At the end of the debate, the house votes whether to approve the third reading of the bill.
If the bill started in the House of Commons, it is then passed to the House of Lords for its first reading.
House Of Lords

In the first reading at the House of Lords, the long title of the bill is read out by the member of the Lords in charge of the bill and the bill is then printed.
Then there is a second reading, this is where the members of the House of Lords can debate the purpose and principles of the bill and also see whether there should be any amendments.
The Bill then goes to the Committee stage. This is a