Three private members' bills in the Lords
6 December 2021
The House of Lords considered three private members' bills on Friday 3 December, covering hereditary by-elections, cigarette health warnings and the addition of environment and sustainable citizenship to the national curriculum.
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.
Debates on draft laws
Members debated the main purpose and principles of two of the bills at second reading.
House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) (Abolition of By-Elections) Bill
The purpose of this bill is to amend the House of Lords Act 1999 so as to abolish the system of by-elections for hereditary peers.
Find out more about the House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) (Abolition of By-Elections) Bill.
Cigarette Stick Health Warnings Bill
The purpose of this bill is to require tobacco manufacturers to print health warnings on individual cigarette sticks and cigarette rolling papers.
Find out more about the Cigarette Stick Health Warnings Bill.
Line by line examination
Members examined the third bill in committee stage, the first chance to check the bill in detail and make changes.
Education (Environment and Sustainable Citizenship) Bill
The purpose of this bill is to make climate change and sustainable citizenship part of the national curriculum in maintained schools in England.
Proposed changes
Members speaking at committee stage discussed a proposed change (PDF) (amendment) to the bill.
The amendment would require the government to give guidance about the provision of education via secondary legislation brought before Parliament.
What's happened so far?
Members discussed the main issues in the bill during the second reading debate on Friday 16 July.
Find out more about the Education (Environment and Sustainable Citizenship) Bill.
Get Involved
Watch and read
Catch up Parliament TV or read the Lords Hansard transcripts.
Explore further information
Read background on the bills in the House of Lords Library briefings:
- House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) (Abolition of By-Elections) Bill [HL]
- Cigarette Stick Health Warnings Bill [HL]
- Education (Environment and Sustainable Citizenship) Bill [HL]
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