Opposition to second reading

Contents

29.16A bill may be opposed on second reading by an amendment to the effect that ‘this House declines to give the bill a second reading’. The amendment may add a reason (a ‘reasoned amendment’).1 The agreement of the House to such an amendment, with or without a reason, means automatic rejection of the bill. The question as amended is not put, and the bill is removed from the list of bills in progress.

It is possible to oppose the motion ‘that this bill be now read a second time’, without tabling an amendment. However, it is uncommon for such opposition to take place, because notice of it, which is desirable in the interests of good order, cannot be given on the order paper.2

Footnotes

  1. 1. For example, LJ (1982–83) 272; ibid (1985–86) 245; ibid (1989–90) 415, 438. The ‘dilatory amendment’ to put off second reading for six months is an obsolete procedure following opposed second reading of the Assisted Dying for the Terminally Ill Bill on 12 May 2006. See Procedure Committee, Fifth Report of Session 2006–07, Questions for Short Debate Grand Committees; Sitting time on Fridays; This day six months; Explanatory notes on Commons amendments (HL 188).
  2. 2. See HL Deb (1997–98) 590, cc 657–58.