Scotland Bill at Lords' third reading stage
24 April 2012
The Scotland Bill has its third reading stage, the final chance to debate aspects of the bill, in the House of Lords today (Tuesday 24 April).
- Watch the debate on Parliament TV from 3pm
- Read the Lords Hansard report (three hours after the debate)
- Lords' suggested changes for third reading
Members will look at final changes to the bill, including national authority over speed limits and driving vehicle regulations in Scotland.
Lords will also discuss the role of the Lord Advocate or the Advocate General for Scotland during criminal proceedings.
What is third reading?
Third reading is the final chance for the Lords to debate and change the contents of the bill.
The day before third reading starts, amendments are published in a marshalled list in which all the amendments are placed in order. Amendments on related subjects are grouped together and a list is published on the day.
Amendments at third reading in the Lords are often used to clarify specific parts of the bill and to allow the government to make good any promises of changes to the bill made at earlier stages.
Next stage: Consideration of amendments/ping pong
Once the bill has completed its passage through the second chamber the bill will return to the Commons where they will consider any amendments made.
Both Houses need to agree to the exact wording of the bill and the bill may 'ping pong' between both houses until this happens.
When the exact wording of the bill has been agreed by both Houses the bill is ready for royal assent. Once a bill receives royal assent it becomes an Act of Parliament (proposals in the bill become law).
Catch up on report stage day two (Wednesday 28 March)
- Lords news: Report stage concludes
- Watch the debate on Parliament TV
- Read the Lords Hansard report
- Marshalled list of amendments
Catch up on report stage day one (Monday 26 March)
- Watch the debate on Parliament TV
- Read the Lords Hansard report
- Marshalled list of amendments (changes) to be discussed
- Lords divisions (votes)
Catch up on final committee stage day five (Wednesday 21 March)
- Lords news: Committee day five
- Watch the debate on Parliament TV
- Read the Lords Hansard transcript
- Lords' proposed changes in the fifth marshalled list of amendments
Catch up on committee day four (Thursday 15 March)
- Lords news: Committee day four
- Watch the debate on Parliament TV
- Read the Lords Hansard report
- Fourth marshalled list of amendments
Catch up on committee day three (Tuesday 28 February)
- Lords news: Committee day three
- Watch the debate on Parliament TV
- Read the Lords Hansard report
- Third marshalled list of amendments
Catch up on committee day two (Thursday 2 February)
- Lords news: Committee day two
- Watch the debate on Parliament TV
- Read the Lords Hansard report
- Second marshalled list of amendments
Catch up on committee stage day one
- Lords news: Scotland Bill committee day one
- Watch the debate on Parliament TV
- Read the Lords Hansard report
- Read the marshalled list of amendments
- Scotland Bill: Bill documents
The previous stage (Second Reading) took place on 6 December 2011.