COVID-19 proceedings: legislative debates at all stages
Under the temporary arrangements which were in place due to the Covid-19 pandemic, MPs could participate remotely or physically in debates on legislation at all stages in the House of Commons.
You can find out more about what happens during each stage of a bill's journey through the House of Commons in the MPs' Guide to Procedure:
- First reading
- Second reading
- Committee stage
- Report stage (also known as Consideration)
- Third reading
- Debates on statutory instruments
Participation in debates
In order to participate in any debate on legislative proceedings, all MPs had to apply to the Speaker's Office. Applications to speak were expected to be made as early as possible and the following deadlines applied:
- For a debate on Monday - 1pm on the Friday of the week before
- For a debate on Tuesday - 1pm of the Monday of the same week
- For a debate on Wednesday - 1pm on the Tuesday of the same week
Call lists indicated which MPs may speak in each debate. Call lists applicable to each sitting day were published on the House business papers pages.
Amendments and new Clauses
MPs who wished to table amendments or new Clauses to a bill could do so by emailing the Public Bill Office. In many cases motions and amendments would be moved during speeches scheduled on the call lists. In these cases, an MP who moved an amendment was called at the end of the debate to be given an opportunity to withdraw it, should they have wished to.
Government motions or amendments, which do not need to be debated would be moved by the duty whip/minister who is physically present in the Chamber.
For any amendments or new Clauses that were selected for separate discussion by the Chair, the lead MP could confirm their wish to move the amendment or new Clause by emailing the Speaker's Office in advance of the end of the debate. They did not need to appear remotely to move it, as the Chair wiould announce the amendment or new Clause to be moved in thier name.
