Lords resume scrutiny of Economic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill

The aim of the Economic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill is to prevent public bodies from participating in boycotts, divestment and sanctions campaigns against overseas states and territories, based on moral or political disapproval.

Line by line examination

Committee stage is a thorough examination of the individual parts (clauses) of the bill.

Starting from the front of the bill, members work through the clauses in order, considering changes (amendments) to the wording or proposals for new clauses.

Proposed changes  

Members speaking on day three of committee stage considered an amendment (PDF) to the bill regarding investments in the local government pension scheme.

Catch up

• Watch the Parliament TV recording: part one and part two.
• Read the Lords Hansard transcript: part one and part two.

Explore further information 

Find out more about the bill in the House of Lords Library briefing.

What's happened so far?

Committee stage day three: Tuesday 7 May

Members speaking on day three of committee stage put forward amendments (PDF) to the bill on subjects including:

• the impact of the legislation on Welsh authorities
• duties on higher education providers
• whether bodies such as charities, sports governing bodies and schools are included within the scope of the legislation. 

Catch up

• Watch on Parliament TV: part one and part two.
• Read the Lords Hansard transcript: part one and part two.

Committee stage day two: Wednesday 17 April

Members speaking on day two of committee stage put forward amendments (PDF) to the bill on subjects including exemptions for environmental misconduct and the ability of ministers to add exceptions to the bill by secondary legislation.

Catch up

• Watch on Parliament TV: part one and part two.
• Read the Lords Hansard transcript: part one and part two. 

Committee stage day one: Wednesday 20 March

Members speaking on day one of committee stage put forward amendments  to the bill on subjects including:

• removing universities from the list of public bodies prevented from participating in the disapproval of foreign state conduct
• considering violations of labour standards during public body procurement decisions
• reviewing the legislation's compliance with the Human Rights Act.

Catch up

• Watch the debate on Parliament TV.
• Read the Lords Hansard transcript.

Second reading

Second reading, a full debate on the key principles of the bill, took place on Tuesday 20 February.

Image: Image: House of Lords / Annabel Moeller