HOUSE OF COMMONS FIRST READING

This stage is simply a formality, the short title of the Bill is read out by the relevant Minister in the House.

The text of the Bill is then freely available in both Houses of Parliament and accessible to the media and public.

The Department which is producing the Bill will tend to provide guidance notes for MPs, and interested groups (e.g. lobbying groups and the media) to help with explaining the Bill.

The parliamentary libraries may also provide helpful explanatory notes.

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