Second reading Groceries Code Adjudicator Bill
19 November 2012 (updated on 19 November 2012)
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business Innovation and Skills, Jo Swinson, introduced the second reading of the Groceries Code Adjudicator Bill in the House of Commons on Monday 19 November 2012
Shadow Minister for Business, Innovation and Skills, Ian Murray, responded on behalf of the Opposition. The Bill passed 'on question' without a vote. The Bill will now be considered by a Public Bill Committee.
- Watch Parliament TV: Second reading of the Groceries Code Adjudicator Bill [HL]
- Read Commons Hansard: Second reading of the Groceries Code Adjudicator Bill [HL]
- Catch up on Parliament News: Groceries Code Adjudicator Bill Lords third reading
About the Groceries Code Adjudicator Bill [HL]
The Bill was introduced in the House of Lords on 10 May 2012 and examines the practices of larger supermarket chains with regard to their suppliers, including farmers and small-scale producers.
Following a Competition Commission report published in 2008 concerns were raised that retailers were demanding retrospective charges from suppliers and altering contractual arrangements.
The new groceries code will apply to the UK's ten 'large' retailers, each with a turnover of more than one billion pounds in groceries. If the bill is passed the code will ensure that retailers:
- deal fairly and lawfully with suppliers
- do not vary supply agreements retrospectively
- pay suppliers within a reasonable time.
Following the Bill
Keep up to date with all the proceedings and documentation on the Groceries Code Adjudicator Bill [HL] and find out how a Bill becomes an Act of Parliament.
- Bills before Parliament 2012-13: Groceries Code Adjudicator Bill [HL]
- 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 Library has published a briefing paper for second reading.
Second reading
Second reading is the first opportunity for MPs to debate the main principles of the Bill. It usually takes place no sooner than two weekends after first reading.
What happens after second reading?
The Bill will be considered in a Public Bill Committee. Each clause (part) and any amendments (proposals for change) to the Bill may be debated. Proceedings in the Public Bill Committee are expected to conclude on Tuesday 18 December 2012 (updated 21 November 2012, item 6)