Commons debates the Queen’s Speech
27 November 2009 (updated on 22 April 2010)
Once the Queen has delivered the Speech outlining the Government's agenda for the coming year, each House begins discussing the proposed programme of new laws and policies.
The first day of the Debate on the Address, as it is known, is more general in tone. On the following five days both Houses hold debates covering different subjects.
Commons debates
The programme for the Commons is as follows:
- Wed 18 November: Debate on the Address
- Thu 19 November: Education and Health
- Mon 23 November: Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Ministry of Defence
- Tue 24 November: Department of Energy and Climate Change, Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
- Wed 25 November: Home Office, Department of Work and Pensions
- Thu 26 November: HM Treasury, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
Parliamentary programme
After the five days of debate, the programme of work begins to turn what is outlined in the Queen's Speech into legislation as Bills are introduced in both Houses.
New Bills
Details of the new Bills announced in the Queen's Speech are available:
A number of these were formally presented to the Commons on 19 November as follows:
- Crime and security
- Constitutional reform and governance
- Equality
- Financial services
- Energy
- Children, Schools and Families
- Flood and water management
- Child poverty