HOUSE OF COMMONS COMMITTEE STAGE

Once a Bill has received its Second Reading it should proceed to Committee Stage. In the House of Commons a Standing Committee is convened to examine the details of a bill, line by line. The debate at Committee Stage of the Bill allows for MPs to try and amend the Bill. Hopefully a constructive dialogue will emerge between Committee members and the Minister in charge.

The Committee will consist of approximately eighteen MPs and the membership will have been selected by the Party Whips, the ratio reflecting the strength ofthe Parties in the Commons.

The Committee will consist of approximately eighteen MPs and the membership will have been selected by the Party Whips, the ratio reflecting the strength of the Parties in the Commons.

It is quite a task to get a Minister in charge to accept amendments at this stage, but at least the MP hoping to do so will have had the opportunity of putting a marker down.

Amendments that are flagged up at this stage but overlooked by the Minister may well be introduced at a later stage.

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