Parliamentary session ends Thursday 8 April
8 April 2010 (updated on 22 April 2010)
The Parliamentary session has now ended with what is called 'prorogation'.
It is the formal name given to the period between the end of a session of Parliament and the State Opening of Parliament that begins the next session. A parliamentary session may also be prorogued when Parliament is dissolved and a general election called - as on this occasion.
Announcement made in Lords and Commons
It takes the form of an announcement, on behalf of the Queen, read in the House of Lords. The same announcement is then read out by the Speaker in the Commons. Following this both Houses are officially prorogued and will not meet again until the State Opening of Parliament.
The announcement sets out the major Bills which have been passed during that session and also describes other measures which have been taken by the Government.
Completed Bills
The following Bills completed their passage through the Commons before prorogation took place:
Sustainable Communities Act 2007 (Amendment) Bill
- Bills before Parliament: Sustainable Communities Act 2007 (Amendment) Bill
- Commons Hansard: Sustainable Communities Act 2007 (Amendment) Bill
- Video and audio: Sustainable Communities Act 2007 (Amendment) Bill
Constitutional Reform and Governance Bill
- Bills before Parliament: Constitutional Reform and Governance Bill
- Commons Hansard: Constitutional Reform and Governance Bill
- Video and audio: Constitutional Reform and Governance Bill
Children, Schools and Families Bill
- Bills before Parliament: Children, Schools and Families Bill
- Commons Hansard: Children, Schools and Families Bill
- Video and audio: Children, Schools and Families Bill
Energy Bill
Financial Services Bill
- Bills before Parliament: Financial Services Bill
- Commons Hansard: Financial Services Bill
- Video and audio: Financial Services Bill
Flood and Water Management Bill
- Bills before Parliament: Flood and Water Management Bill
- Commons Hansard: Flood and Water Management Bill
- Video and audio: Flood and Water Management Bill
Next steps
The dissolution of Parliament is due to take place on Monday 12 April. A proclamation is made announcing the date of Parliament's return following the general election, and the date of the Queen's Speech at State Opening.
Writs are then issued for elections in the UK's 650 constituencies.
The General Election will be held on Thursday 6 May and Parliament will return on Tuesday 18 May.