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Lords private members' bills

23 July 2018

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The House of Lords debated three private members' bills on Friday 20 July, covering civil partnerships for mixed sex couples, female genital mutilation and information and statistics relating to the European Union.

A private member's bill is a type of public bill (that affects the public). Private members' bills must go through the same set of procedures as other public bills.

Civil Partnership Act 2004 (Amendment) (Sibling Couples) Bill (second reading):

This bill aims to allow sibling couples to register as civil partners.

Members discussed a number of topics raised by the bill, including legal recognition for siblings who wish to share a home together, the extension of civil partnerships for heterosexual couples, the issue of inheritance tax following a sibling's passing and the decision of siblings couple to end a civil partnership.

Find out more about the Civil Partnership Act 2004 (Amendment) (Sibling Couples) Bill

Committee stage, the first chance for line-by-line scrutiny, is yet to be scheduled.

Children Act 1989 (Amendment) (Female Genital Mutilation) Bill (second reading):

This bill aims to enable the courts to make interim care orders under the Children Act 1989 in child cases relating to FGM.

Members discussed a range of issues highlighted by the bill, including the lack of successful criminal prosecution of cases of FGM in the UK, the identification of young girls at increased risk of FGM or forced marriage and worldwide programmes to outlaw the practice and provide post-FGM aid.

Find out more about the Children Act 1989 (Amendment) (Female Genital Mutilation) Bill

Committee stage, the first chance for line-by-line scrutiny, is yet to be scheduled.

European Union (Information, etc.)  Bill (second reading):

This bill aims to make information and statistics related to the European Union and the EU's town twinning scheme, available in various public places. 

Members discussed a number of subjects in relation to the bill, including the UK's post-Brexit relationship with the EU and Europe as a whole, the inclusion of EU history as part of the national curriculum and the public desire for access to information relating to the EU.

Find out more about the European Union (Information, etc.) Bill

Further information