House of Lords back to business
3 June 2019
The House of Lords gets back to business on Tuesday 4 June scrutinising draft laws, reporting on ongoing issues through its committees, examining preparations for Brexit and debating topics of the day.
Legislation
The Lords shares the role of scrutinising and agreeing legislation with the House of Commons. Draft laws coming up in the Lords:
Census (Returns Particulars and Removal of Penalties) Bill
The bill aims to provide voluntary questions on sexual orientation and gender identity on censuses in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Its committee stage, a chance for line by line scrutiny, is scheduled for Tuesday 4 June.
Courts and Tribunals (Online Procedure) Bill
The draft law aims to create new online rules for civil, tribunal and family court proceedings. Its committee stage, line-by-line scrutiny of the bill, is scheduled for Monday 10 June.
Holocaust (Return of Cultural Objects) (Amendment) Bill
Aiming to prevent the Holocaust (Return of Cultural Objects) Act 2009 from expiring, this draft law's committee stage has yet to be scheduled.
Kew Gardens (Leases) (No. 3) Bill
The bill updates powers around the management of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Its report stage, further checks and changes, is scheduled for Wednesday 5 June.
Rivers Authorities and Land Drainage Bill
The bill aims to update rules around rivers authorities and internal drainage boards. Its committee stage, detailed line-by-line scrutiny, is scheduled for Friday 14 June.
Debates
Members are able to put their experience to good use in debates on issues of the day. Debates coming up include:
Tuesday 4 June
- Marking the 75th anniversary of D-Day
Wednesday 5 June
- Tidal ranges and renewable energy
- Report of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Heritage Rail, 'Engaging the Next Generation'
Thursday 6 June
- Government plans to support victims of domestic violence and abuse
- Latest employment figures and rates
Statutory instruments preparing for Brexit
The Lords examines statutory instruments (SIs), a type of secondary legislation, through its Secondary Legislation Scrutiny Committee.
In the chamber and in Grand Committee (a room outside the chamber), members examine SIs made under the EU (Withdrawal) Act 2018. These are changes to the law to be made in the event of the UK leaving the EU without a withdrawal agreement.
Lords committee evidence sessions
Tuesday 4 June
- Economic Affairs Committee: How will the Augar Review impact science research funding in universities?
- Science and Technology Committee: Chief Secretary to the Treasury questioned on Spending Review and infrastructure
Lords committee reports
House of Lords select committees investigate ongoing, cross-cutting issues.
Since Easter, the following Lords committees have published investigative reports:
- Bribery Act 2010 Committee: The Bribery Act 2010: post-legislative scrutiny
- Constitution Committee: Parliamentary scrutiny of treaties
- Economic Affairs Committee: Rethinking High Speed 2
- EU Committee: Brexit: road, rail and maritime transport
- Intergenerational Fairness and Provision Committee: Tackling intergenerational unfairness
- International Relations Committee: Rising nuclear risk, disarmament and the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty
- Regenerating Seaside Towns Committee: The future of seaside towns
- Rural Economy Committee: Time for a strategy for the rural economy
- Science and Technology Committee: Forensic science and the criminal justice system: a blueprint for change
The House of Lords and House of Commons Joint Committee on the Draft Registration of Overseas Entities Bill published its report:
Further information
- Attend debates in the chamber
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- Connect with Lords on the Lords Digital Chamber
Image: House of Lords 2019 / Photography by Roger Harris