Recommended minimum intervals between the stages of a bill

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29.3The following minimum intervals between stages of public bills are usually observed:1

  1. two week-ends between the first reading (whether of a new bill or one brought from the Commons) and the debate on second reading;
  2. 14 days between second reading and the start of the committee stage;
  3. on all bills of considerable length and complexity, 14 days between the end of the committee stage and the start of the report stage;
  4. three sitting days between the end of the report stage and third reading.2

Notice is given whenever these minimum intervals are departed from, except when Standing Order No 44 has been suspended. Such notice is given by inserting a ‘§’ against the bill in House of Lords Business.

Reasonable notice should when possible be given for consideration of Commons amendments, taking into account the number and scale of amendments and the availability of documents relating to them.3

Footnotes

  1. 1. LJ (1976–77) 821; ibid (1977–78) 23. This practice derived from the First Report from the Select Committee on Practice and Procedure, HL 141 (1976–77).
  2. 2. The 14-day periods are inclusive of the day on which the previous stage is concluded. The 3-day period is exclusive.
  3. 3. HL Deb (1987–88) 493, c 938; ibid (1991–92) 533, c 1466.