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Draft Bills 2008-09

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 2008-09 parliamentary session. Also published are select and joint committee reports and Government responses to select or joint committee reports.

Draft Antarctica Bill

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office published on 10 November 2009 a draft Bill which seeks to further improve the environmental protection and governance of Antarctica.

  • Foreign and Commonwealth Office: Draft Antarctica Bill and consultation
  • Foreign and Commonwealth Office (external website)
  • Government Response to the consultation on the Draft Antarctica Bill published in April 2010

Draft Bribery Bill

The Home Office on the 24 March 2003 published the draft Corruption Bill. The Joint Committee on the Draft Corruption Bill heavily criticised the Bill and recommended that the scheme of offences be restructured. In an attempt to seek a new consensus on the way forward, the Government held a consultation process in 2005.

The consultation revealed that there was broad support for reform of the existing law but no consensus as to how it can best be achieved. As a result, in March 2007 the Government asked the Law Commission to take forward the findings of the Government’s consultation and to consider the options for reform further.

The Ministry of Justice published on 25 March 2009 a draft Bribery Bill to reform the criminal law to provide a new, modern and comprehensive scheme of bribery offences that will enable courts and prosecutors to respond more effectively to bribery at home or abroad.

The Bribery Bill was introduced into Parliament on 19 November 2009 and received Royal Assent on 8 April 2010.

Draft Civil Law Reform Bill

The Ministry of Justice published in December 2009 a draft Bill on reforming the civil law. 

Draft Floods and Water Management Bill

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs published on 21 April 2009 a draft Bill to help protect ourselves better from flooding, to manage water more sustainably and to improve services to the public.

The Flood and Water Management Bill was introduced into Parliament on 19 November 2009 and received Royal Assent on 8 April 2010. 

Draft Immigration Bill

The Home Office published on 12 November 2009 a draft Bill simplifying immigration law. 

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.