Lords debates four Private Members’ Bills
13 June 2011
Four Private Members’ Bills completed their respective stages in the House of Lords on Friday 10 June: the Dog Control Bill – report stage; the Wind Turbines Bill and the Demonstrations in the Vicinity of Parliament Bill – second reading; and the Wreck Removal Bill – committee stage
Dog Control Bill
The Dog Control Bill completed its report stage. The House of Lords agreed without voting to Amendment 1 concerning Clause 3: Dog control notices and Amendment 2 to the Schedule concerning databases.
- Watch the debate on Parliament TV: Dog Control Bill report stage
- Lords Hansard: read a transcript of the debate
- Marshalled List of Amendments to be moved on Report as at 8 June 2011
Third reading – a final chance to amend the Bill – is yet to be scheduled.
The Bill makes provisions about the control of dogs. Line by line examination of the Bill took place during committee stage on 4 March. Amendments discussed covered clauses 1 to 13 of the Bill.
Wind Turbines (Minimum Distances from Residential Premises) Bill
The Wind Turbines Bill completed its second reading – debate on the main principles of the Bill – in the House of Lords. Wide-ranging discussion took place on issues including the effect of wind turbines on rural areas and meeting the UK’s renewable energy targets.
- Watch the debate on Parliament TV: Wind Turbines Bill second reading
- Lords Hansard: read a transcript of the debate
- Bills before Parliament: Wind Turbines (Minimum Distances from Residential Premises) Bill
Committee stage – line by line examination of the Bill – is yet to be scheduled.
The Bill makes provision for a minimum distance between wind turbines and residential premises according to the size of the wind turbine.
Demonstrations in the Vicinity of Parliament (Removal of Authorisation Requirements) Bill
The Demonstrations in the Vicinity of Parliament Bill also completed its second reading in the House of Lords. Issues discussed during this debate on the general principles of the Bill included the status of Parliament Square as a part of a world heritage site and protecting the right for people to demonstrate.
- Watch the debate on Parliament TV: Demonstrations in the Vicinity of Parliament Bill second reading
- Lords Hansard: read a transcript of the debate
- Bills before Parliament: Demonstrations in the Vicinity of Parliament Bill
A date for committee stage – line by line examination of the Bill – is yet to be scheduled.
The Bill seeks to repeal sections 132 to 138 of the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005.
Wreck Removal Convention Bill
The Wreck Removal Convention Bill completed its committee stage in the House of Lords. Report stage – further line by line examination of the Bill – is yet to be scheduled.
- Watch the debate on Parliament TV: Wreck Removal Convention Bill committee stage
- Lords Hansard: read a transcript of the debate
- Marshalled List of Amendments to be moved in Committee as at 8 June 2011
Members of the Lords discussed an amendment that would remove the requirements for the harbour authorities, conservation authorities and general lighthouse authorities to comply with a Secretary of State’s instruction to deal with a wreck, allowing these organisations to refuse to deal with a wreck when asked to do so. The amendment was withdrawn.
The House of Lords agreed without voting to Clauses 1 and 2 and to the Schedule in the Bill.
The Bill provides measures to enable the UK to ratify and implement the Nairobi International Convention for the Removal of Wrecks (ICRW) in UK domestic law by inserting new sections – Part 9A – into the Merchant Shipping Act 1995.
- Bills before Parliament: Wreck Removal Convention Bill
- Lords news: Lords debates Private Members’ Bills
- Passage of a Bill: committee stage
Further information
Members of the Lords who are not government ministers can introduce Private Members’ Bills. Like Public Bills their purpose is to change the law as it applies to the general population. Most Private Members’ Bills do not become Acts of Parliament; however, by creating publicity around an issue, some Private Members’ Bills can indirectly affect legislation.