Three private members' bills await Royal Assent
29 April 2021
On Wednesday 28 April, three private members' bills completed their remaining stage in the House of Lords.
The bills cover substance testing in prisons, use of cosmetic fillers on under 18s, and increasing the maximum penalty for specific offences related to animal welfare.
No changes to the wording of the bills were suggested ahead of third reading.
As both Houses have agreed on the text of the bills, they now await the final stage of Royal Assent. They will then become Acts of Parliament (laws).
Royal Assent is expected to take place on Thursday 29 April.
What is a private member's bill?
A private member's bill is a type of public bill introduced by an individual member of the house rather than the government. Public bills affect everyone. Private members' bills must go through the same set of procedures as other public bills.
Committee stage: Thursday 22 April
As no changes were suggested, motions were agreed that both committee stage and report stage be passed for the bills to progress directly to third reading (a procedure known as ‘order of commitment discharged’).
Prisons (Substance Testing) Bill
This bill aims to improve the capability of prisons in England and Wales to test for the use of illicit substances by prisoners.
Explore the Lords Library Briefing. Find out more about the Prisons (Substance Testing) Bill.
Second reading: Friday 16 April
Baroness Pidding (Conservative), the bill's sponsor in the Lords, opened the debate.
Botulinum Toxin and Cosmetic Fillers (Children) Bill
This bill aims to:
- prohibit specific cosmetic procedures being performed on young people under the age of 18 years old in England, except under the directions of a doctor
- safeguard children from the potential health risks of botulinum toxins and cosmetic fillers.
Explore the Lords Library Briefing. Find out more about the Botulinum Toxin and Cosmetic Fillers (Children) Bill.
Second reading: Friday 16 April
Baroness Wyld (Conservative), the bill's sponsor in the Lords, opened the debate.
Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Bill
This bill aims to increases the maximum penalty for specific offences related to animal welfare in England and Wales.
Explore the Lords Library Briefing. Find out more about the Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Bill.
Second reading: Friday 16 April
Lord Randall of Uxbridge (Conservative), former Minister for Culture, Media and Sport and the bill's sponsor in the Lords, opened the debate.
Image: Copyright House of Lords / Photography Roger Harris