Commons debate Policing and Crime Bill
20 May 2009 (updated on 22 April 2010)
House of Commons debates report stage and third reading of the Policing and Crime Bill, a Bill that draws together policy issues on policing and crime
- Commons Hansard: Policing and Crime Bill
- Bills before Parliament: Policing and Crime Bill 2008-09
- About Parliament: Report stage
The Policing and Crime Bill:
- creates a new offence of paying for sex with someone who is controlled for gain and introduces new powers to close brothels
- modifies the law on soliciting
- tightens up the regulation of lap-dancing clubs by reclassifying them as 'sex establishments' rather than ‘entertainment’ venues
- amends police powers to deal with young people drinking in public
- introduces a new mandatory code of practice for alcohol sales
- amends the criminal asset recovery scheme established under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002
- changes the arrangements for airport security and policing
The report stage of a Bill's passage through Parliament is an opportunity to consider further amendments to a Bill which has been examined in committee. All MPs may speak and vote - for lengthy or complex Bills the debate may be spread over several days. MPs can suggest amendments to the Bill or new clauses they think should be added.
Third reading is the final review of the contents of a Bill. The debate on the Bill is usually short, and limited to what is actually in the Bill, rather than, as at second reading, what might have been included. At the end of the debate, the House decides whether to approve the third reading of the Bill.