Remaining stages of the Succession to the Crown Bill

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The Bill has now completed all its Commons stages and be introduced into the House of Lords for consideration.

Summary of the Succession to the Crown Bill

The Bill would change the rules governing succession to the Crown in two ways.

First, there would be no gender discrimination in determining succession, in contrast to the present rules, under which brothers stand ahead of sisters in line to the throne even if they are younger.

Secondly, a person marrying a Roman Catholic would no longer be barred from becoming or remaining monarch.

Progress of the Bill

The Succession to the Crown Bill was presented to Parliament on 13 December 2013. It had its second reading and committee of the whole House on 22 January 2013.

• Catch up on Parliament News: MPs debate Succession to the Crown Bill

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

• Bills before Parliament 2102-13: Succession to the Crown 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: Succession to the Crown Bill

What are report stage and third reading of a bill?

The report stage gives MPs an opportunity, on the floor of the House, to consider any further amendments (proposals for change) to a Bill which has been examined in a public bill committee or on the floor of the House.
 
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 may speak and vote, for lengthy or complex Bills the debates may be spread over several days. All MPs can suggest amendments to the Bill or new clauses (parts) they think should be added.

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.