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Commons second reading Crime and Courts Bill

14 January 2013

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MPs debated the second reading of the Crime and Courts Bill in the House of Commons on Monday 14 January 2013. Home Secretary, Theresa May, introduced the debate.

Shadow Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, responded on behalf of the Opposition.

Summary of the Crime and Courts Bill [HL]

The Crime and Courts Bill covers a wide range of subjects.

Part 1 of the Bill would provide the statutory basis for the new National Crime Agency (NCA), which the Government hopes will be fully operational by the end of 2013.

The NCA is to tackle serious organised crime, encompassing the work of a number of existing organisations. These include the Serious Organised Crime Agency which was set up by the previous government in 2006.

Part 2 of the Bill contains a variety of provisions to do with courts and justice.

Progress of the Bill

The Bill was introduced in the House of Lords on 10 May 2012. It completed its Lords stages on 18 December 2012. 

The Bill was presented to the House of Commons on 19 December 2012. This is known as the first reading and there was no debate on the Bill at this stage.

Keep up to date with all the proceedings and documentation, including amendment papers, on the Crime and Courts Bill [HL] and find out how a bill becomes an Act of Parliament.

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 published a briefing paper for second reading.

What happens next?

Second reading was agreed on question (without a vote). The bill will now be sent to a public bill committee which will conclude by, or before, 14 February 2013. The Chair of a public bill committee is appointed by the Speaker from the Chairmen's Panel. Once a Chair has been appointed membership of the public bill committee is usually announced on the following Thursday.