MPs debate remaining stages of Northern Ireland Bill
18 November 2013
MPs debated the report stage and third reading of the Northern Ireland (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill in the House of Commons, on Monday 18 November 2013.
Shadow SDLP Spokesperson, Mark Durkan, opened the debate on report stage.
Minister of State Northern Ireland Office, Andrew Robathan, moved the motion for third reading. Shadow Minister of State for Northern Ireland, Stephen Pound, responded on behalf of the Opposition.
The bill passed third reading on question, without a vote.
- Watch Parliament TV: Remaining stages of the Northern Ireland (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill
- Read Commons Hansard: Remaining stages of the Northern Ireland (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill
- Read current Parliamentary material in Topics: Northern Ireland Assembly
Related Information
Summary of the Northern Ireland (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill
To make provision about donations, loans and related transactions for political purposes in connection with Northern Ireland; to amend the Northern Ireland Assembly Disqualification Act 1975 and the Northern Ireland Act 1998; to make provision about the registration of electors and the administration of elections in Northern Ireland; and to make miscellaneous amendments in the law relating to Northern Ireland.
Progress of the Northern Ireland (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill
The Bill was introduced to the Commons on 9 May 2013 and had its second reading on 24 June 2013.
Keep up to date with all the proceedings and documentation, including amendments papers, on the Northern Ireland (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill and find out how a bill becomes an Act of Parliament.
- Follow Bills before Parliament: Northern Ireland (Miscellaneous Provisions) 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. The Library has published a briefing paper for the second reading.
What is the report stage 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) that 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 a third reading in the Commons. At the end of the debate, the House decides 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.
If the bill started in the Lords it returns to the House of Lords for consideration of any amendments the Commons has made.
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 @HouseofCommons on Twitter for updates on the UK House of Commons Chamber.