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Draft Bills 2004-05

The Government publishes a number of Bills each parliamentary session in draft form, before they are introduced in Parliament as formal Bills.

Draft Bills

Listed on this page are the draft bills published by the Government for the 2004-05 parliamentary session. Also published are select and joint committee reports and Government responses to select or joint committee reports.

Draft Children (Contact) and Adoption Bill

The Department for Education and Skills (now know as the Department for Education) published on 2 February 2005 a draft Bill which makes provision with respect to the enforcement by the family courts of orders requiring a "resident parent" to co-operate with a "non-resident parent" in allowing contact between a child and the non-resident parent after divorce or separation.

The Children and Adoption Bill [HL] was introduced into Parliament on 13 June 2005 and received Royal Assent on 21 June 2006.

Company Law Reform (draft clauses)

The Department for Trade and Industry (now known as the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills) published in March 2005 a White Paper entitled "Company Law Reform". The White Paper contained draft clauses which would form the basis for a Company Law Reform Bill and was later renamed the Companies Bill.

The Companies Bill [HL] was introduced into Parliament on 1 November 2005 and received Royal Assent on 8 November 2006.

Draft Commissioner for Older People (Wales) Bill

The Wales Office published on 22 March 2005 a draft Bill to establish a Commissioner for Older People for Wales. Please contact the Wales Office for further information.

The Commissioner for Older People (Wales) Bill [HL] was introduced into Parliament 25 May 2005 and received Royal Assent on 27 July 2006. 

Draft Corporate Manslaughter Bill

The Home Office published on 24 March 2005 a draft Bill which set out proposals for a new, specific offence of corporate manslaughter. An organisation would be prosecuted for this if a gross failing by its senior managers to take reasonable care for the safety of their workers or members of the public caused a person’s death.

The Corporate Manslaughter and Homicide Bill was introduced into Parliament on 20 July 2006 (session 2005-06), the Bill was carried over into the next session (2006-07) and received Royal Assent on 26 July 2007. 

Draft National Environment and Rural Communities Bill

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs published on 10 February 2006 a draft Bill  

Draft Bills from previous sessions

What is a Draft Bill?

A Draft Bill is published to enable consultation and pre-legislative scrutiny. After consultation and pre-legislative scrutiny has taken place, the Draft Bill may be introduced formally in House of Commons or the House of Lords.

Most Draft Bills are examined either by select committees in the House of Commons or in the House of Lords or by a joint committee of both Houses of Parliament.

Draft Bills from previous sessions

Draft Bills that were published in previous parliamentary sessions are available to view.

Draft Bills from previous sessions

What is a Draft Bill?

A Draft Bill is published to enable consultation and pre-legislative scrutiny. After consultation and pre-legislative scrutiny has taken place, the Draft Bill may be introduced formally in House of Commons or the House of Lords.

Most Draft Bills are examined either by select committees in the House of Commons or in the House of Lords or by a joint committee of both Houses of Parliament.

Draft Bills from previous sessions

Draft Bills that were published in previous parliamentary sessions are available to view.