Lords completes third reading of Civil Aviation Bill
12 November 2012 (updated on 4 December 2012)
Members completed third reading of the Civil Aviation Bill, the final chance to amend the bill in the House of Lords, yesterday (Tuesday 13 November)
About the bill
The Civil Aviation Bill was introduced in the Lords at first reading on 23 May.
The bill makes new provisions for operator regulation at major airports. It focuses on the functions of the Civil Aviation Authority under competition law and in relation to services provided at airports.
The bill will also look at aviation security, regulation of flight accommodation and the Civil Aviation Authority’s membership, administration and functions in relation to enforcement and regulatory burdens.
What is third reading?
Third reading is the final chance for the Lords to debate and clarify the contents of the bill.
The day before third reading starts, amendments are published in a marshalled list.
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: Ping pong/consideration of amendments
Once the bill has completed its passage through the second chamber the bill will return to the Commons where they will consider the 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).