Remaining stages of Growth and Infrastructure Bill

The Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Nick Boles, responded on behalf of the government.

• Watch Parliament TV: Debate on remaining stages of the Growth and Infrastructure Bill
• Read Commons Hansard: Debate on remaining stages of the Growth and Infrastructure Bill
• Read current Parliamentary material in Topics: Planning

Following the completion of the report stage, Minister of State for Business and Enterprise, Michael Fallon, introduced the debate for third reading. Once again, Shadow Minister for Communities and Local Government, Roberta Blackman-Woods, responded on behalf of the Opposition.

The Bill passed third reading on division (273 votes to 231).

It has now completed its Commons stages and will be introduced into the House of Lords for consideration.

Summary of the Growth and Infrastructure Bill

The long title of the Growth and Infrastructure Bill was amended at report stage as follows:

A Bill to make provision in connection with facilitating or controlling the following, namely, the provision or use of infrastructure, the carrying-out of development, and the compulsory acquisition of land; to make provision about when rating lists are to be compiled; to make provision about the rights of employees of companies who agree to be employee shareholders; and for connected purposes.

Progress of the Bill

The Growth and Infrastructure Bill was introduced to the House of Commons on 18 October 2012 and had its second reading on 5 November 2012. 

The Bill completed its committee stage on 6 December 2012.

The Bill will now be introduced into the House of Lords for consideration.

Keep up to date with all the proceedings and documentation, including amendment papers, on the Growth and Infrastructure Bill and find out how a Bill becomes an Act of Parliament.

• Bills before Parliament 2012-13: Growth and Infrastrucure Bill
• About Parliament: Passage of a Bill

House of Commons Library analysis

The House of Commons Library produces briefing papers to inform MPs of key issues. The papers contain factual information and a range of opinions on each subject, and aim to be politically impartial.

• Commons Library briefing paper: Growth and Infrastrucure Bill
• Commons Library briefing paper: Growth and Infrastructure Bill: Committee Stage Report

Report stage and third reading

The report stage gives MPs an opportunity, on the floor of the House, to consider further amendments (proposals for change) to a bill which has been examined in a public bill committee. The timings of the debate are often set out in a programme motion. 

There is no set time period between the end of committee stage and the start of the report stage.

What happens at report stage?

All MPs can suggest amendments to the bill or new clauses (parts) they think should be added. The selection of amendments and which members will be called to speak rests with the Speaker.

What happens after report stage?

Report stage is usually followed immediately by debate on the bill's third reading.

What happens at third reading?

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. Amendments (proposals for change) cannot be made to a bill at third reading in the Commons.

At the end of the debate, the House decides (votes on) whether to approve the third reading of the bill.

What happens after third reading?

If the bill started in the Commons it goes to the House of Lords for its first reading. If the bill started in the Lords it will return to the House of Lords for consideration of any amendments the Commons have made.