MPs consider Lords amendments to Energy Bill
4 December 2013
MPs debated amendments by the House of Lords to the Energy Bill on 4 December 2013.
Lords Amendment 105 was disagreed to on division (Ayes 318 votes, Noes, 236 votes, Division 151).
The Commons disagreed to Lords Amendment 105 for the following Reason which will be communicated to the Lords for their consideration:
"Because it is inappropriate for the fitting of pollution abatement equipment to cause the emissions limit duty to apply to existing generating stations".
All other Lords Amendments were agreed to.
- Watch Parliament TV: Consideration of Lords Amendments to the Energy Bill
- Read Commons Hansard: Consideration of Lords Amendments to the Energy Bill
- Read the Lords Amendments to the Energy Bill
Relevant documents
The following documents were identified as relevant to the debate:
- Read Energy and Climate Change Select Committee publications on Pre-Legislative Scrutiny: Draft Energy Bill inquiry
- Read Government Response to Energy and Climate Change Select Committee report into the draft Energy Bill (external website)
- Read Environmental Audit Select Committee publications on Energy Subsidies inquiry
Related information
Summary of the Bill
The Energy Bill makes provision for reforming the electricity market for purposes of encouraging low carbon electricity generation or ensuring security of supply, and for the establishment and functions of the Office for Nuclear Regulation.
It also make provision about the government pipe-line and storage system and rights exercisable in relation to it; about the designation of a strategy and policy statement; for the making of orders requiring regulated persons to provide redress to consumers of gas or electricity; about offshore transmission of electricity during a commissioning period; and for imposing further fees in respect of nuclear decommissioning costs.
Progress of the Bill
The Bill was introduced in the House of Commons in the 2012-13 session on 29 November 2012. The Bill was one of five carried over into the 2013-14 session.
This Bill completed all its stages in the House of Commons on the 4 June 2013.
The Bill then went to the House of Lords for consideration. The Bill had its first reading in the Lords on the 5 June 2013 and completed its remaining stages on the 19 November 2013.
The Commons Reason for disagreement to Lords Amendment 105 will now be considered by the Lords.
Keep up to date with all the proceedings and documentation, including amendment papers, on the Energy Bill and find out how a Bill becomes an Act of Parliament.
- Bills before Parliament 2012-13: Energy Bill
- About Parliament: Passage of a bill
- Catch up on news: Energy Bill Lords third reading
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. The Library has prepared the following papers:
- Read Bill documents: Energy Bill
- Read Commons Library briefing paper: Energy Bill 2013 - update for Report stage
Lords Amendments
When a Bill has passed through third reading in both Houses it is returned to the first House (where it started) for the second House's amendments (proposals for change) to be considered.
Both Houses must agree on the exact wording of the Bill. There is no set time period between the third reading of a Bill and consideration of any Commons or Lords amendments.
What happens after consideration of amendments?
Once the Commons and Lords agree on the final version of the Bill, it can receive Royal Assent and become an Act of Parliament (the proposals of the Bill now become law).
Watching proceedings from the public gallery
UK residents and overseas visitors can watch proceedings in the House of Commons by visiting the public gallery.
This article was produced by the Commons Digital Outreach Team. Follow the @HouseofCommons on Twitter for updates on the UK House of Commons Chamber.