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Lords private members' bills

29 October 2018

Image of UK Parliament portcullis

The House of Lords debated three private members' bills on Friday 26 October, covering guardianship for health and adult social care data, the removal of various powers from the Duchy of Cornwall and the use of mobile phones in prisons.

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.

Health and Social Care (National Data Guardian) Bill (second reading):

A bill to establish a National Data Guardian for Health and Social Care.

Members discussed subjects including the requirement of the National Data Guardian to produce annual reports, the potential of technology to provide cheaper health benefits around the world and the sharing of data records between NHS and private sector services.

Find out more about the Health and Social Care (National Data Guardian) Bill

Duchy of Cornwall Bill (second reading):

A bill to amend the succession to the title of the Duke of Cornwall, to remove various powers, exemptions and immunities from the Duchy of Cornwall and to make provisions relating to the Treasury Solicitor and any solicitor or attorney appointed in the affairs of the Duchy.

Members discussed a range of issues highlighted by the bill, including the current financial arrangements of the Duchy of Cornwall and the monarchy as whole, the designation of the Duchy as private estate without the privileges of Crown Immunity and the removal of gender preference for the inherited title of the Duke of Cornwall.

Find out more about the Duchy of Cornwall Bill

Prisons (Interference with Wireless Telegraphy) Bill (second reading):

A Bill to authorise the interference with wireless telegraphy in prisons and similar institutions.

Members discussed topics including the contribution of illicit mobile phone usage in smuggling contraband into prisons, proposals for tackling the issue of over-crowded and under-staff prisons, and call charges for the legitimate use of landlines in prisons.  

Find out more about the Prisons (Interference with Wireless Telegraphy) Bill

Further information

Image: House of Lords 2018 / Photography by Roger Harris