Lords debates five private members’ bills

These draft laws address:

• pension schemes
• British Sign Language
• breeding and raising of game birds
• use of glue traps
• approved premises for Substance Testing

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.   

Key debates on draft laws  

Second reading is the first opportunity for members of the Lords to debate the key principles and main purpose of a bill. Here members get the chance to raise any concerns or specific areas where they think amendments (changes) are needed.  

Five bills were debated at second reading:

Pension Schemes (Conversion of Guaranteed Minimum Pensions) Bill

Introduced by Baroness Redfern (Conservative), this bill seeks to both simplifly and clarify the provisions allowing occupational pension schemes to convert Guaranteed Minimum Pension (GMP) benefits into other scheme benefits.

Find out more about the Pension Schemes (Conversion of Guaranteed Minimum Pensions) Bill.

Read background on the bill in the House of Lords Library briefing.

British Sign Language Bill

Introduced by Lord Holmes of Richmond (Conservative), this bill aims to recognise British Sign Language as a language of Great Britain in its own
right and for the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions to report on the promotion and facilitation of British Sign Language by ministerial departments.

For the first time in the House of Lords, a British Sign Language interpretation of proceedings was shown live and is available to watch on catch-up on Parliament TV.

Find out more about the British Sign Language Bill.

Read background on the bill in the House of Lords Library briefing.

Game Birds (Cage Breeding) Bill

Introduced by Lord Randall of Uxbridge (Conservative), this bill would make it an offence to keep pheasants or partridges in raised laying cages or battery cages for the purpose of producing eggs.

Find out more about the Game Birds (Cage Breeding) Bill.

Read background on the bill in the House of Lords Library briefing.

Glue Traps (Offences) Bill

Introduced by Baroness Fookes (Conservative), this bill aims to make it an offence to set a glue trap for the purpose of catching a rodent, or in a manner which gives rise to a risk that a rodent will become caught. A licensing regime would permit exceptions for licenced pest controllers to use glue traps in exceptional circumstances.

Find out more about the Glue Traps (Offences) Bill.

Read background on the bill in the House of Lords Library briefing.

Approved Premises (Substance Testing) Bill

Introduced by Baroness Sater (Conservative), this bill seeks to create a statutory framework for drugs testing in approved premises, including testing for psychoactive substances and the abuse of prescription and pharmacy medicines.

Find out more about the Approved Premises (Substance Testing) Bill.

Read background on the bill in the House of Lords Library briefing.

Get Involved

Watch and read

Catch up on Parliament TV or read the Lords Hansard transcripts.

Image: copyright House of Lords / photography by Roger Harris