MPs debate motions relating to High Speed Rail Bill

These included motions to commit the Bill to a Select Committee, to give an Instruction to the Select Committee and a carry-over motion which will allow the Bill to resume its progress into the next session and next Parliament.

The motions were approved without division. The tabled amendments were not formally moved.

• Watch the debate on motions relating to the High Speed Rail (London – West Midlands) Bill live on Parliament TV
• Read Commons Hansard: Business of the House Motion
• Read Commons Hansard: High Speed Rail (London – West Midlands) Bill: Select Committee
• Read Commons Hansard: High Speed Rail (London – West Midlands) Bill: Instruction
• Read Commons Hansard: High Speed Rail (London – West Midlands) Bill: Carry-over

High Speed Rail Bill (London – West Midlands) Select Committee

The Bill is now committed to a Select Committee, which will consider petitions against the Bill.

Any individuals, organisations or groups of people 'directly and specially affected' by the Bill can deposit a petition to make their case against the Bill.

• Find out more: House of Commons High Speed Rail (London - West Midlands) Bill Select Committee

Further information

Summary of the High Speed Rail (London - West Midlands) Bill

The Bill confers the powers required to construct phase one of the proposed HS2 scheme from London Euston to Birmingham Curzon Street with intermediate stations in West London (Old Oak Common) and at Birmingham Airport. It provides for a connection to the existing rail link to the Channel Tunnel (HS1) but not to Heathrow Airport.

Progress of the Bill

The Bill was introduced to the House of Commons on 25 November 2013. MPs debated and approved the second reading of the Bill on Monday 28 April 2014.

• Catch up on recent Parliament news stories: Second reading of the High Speed Rail (London – West Midlands) Bill

Keep up to date with all the proceedings and documentation, including amendment papers, on the High Speed Rail (London - West Midlands) Bill and find out how a bill becomes an Act of Parliament.

• Follow Bills before Parliament: High Speed Rail (London - West Midlands) Bill

House of Commons Library analysis

The House of Commons Library produces briefing papers to inform MPs and their staff 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 number of papers relating to the High Speed Rail Bill.

• Commons Library briefing paper: High Speed Rail (London - West Midlands) Bill
• Commons Library briefing paper: high speed rail (HS2)
• Commons Library briefing paper: Hybrid bills
• Commons Library briefing paper: High Speed Rail (Preparation) Act 2013

Hybrid bills

Hybrid bills mix the characteristics of public and private bills. The changes to the law proposed by a hybrid bill would affect the general public but would also have a significant impact for specific individuals or groups.

• About Parliament: Hybrid bills

Hybrid bills and select committees

In order to enable anyone directly affected by a hybrid bill to make their case against it, the bill is committed to a select committee, which will consider petitions against it.

As the High Speed Rail (London - West Midlands) Bill passed second reading, motions establishing the select committee on the Bill and containing various instructions to the Committee, and on carry-over of the Bill between sessions, will be considered on Tuesday 29 April in the House of Commons.

The motion to refer the bill to a select committee normally also sets down the requirements for the receipt of petitions against the bill.

In addition to referring a hybrid bill to select committee, the House may also give instructions to the select committee. Instructions can prevent the select committee from amending certain provisions or specifically allow it to make alterations to infrastructure provided for in the bill.

Carry-over motions

A carry-over motion has been tabled for the High Speed Rail (London - West Midlands) Bill on Tuesday 29 April. If the motion is agreed the Bill will be resumed in the 2014-15 session of Parliament if proceedings are not concluded in this session, and again in 2015-16.

Watching proceedings from the public gallery

UK residents and overseas visitors can watch proceedings in the House of Commons by visiting the public gallery.

• How to attend a debate in the Chamber or in Westminster Hall

This article was produced by the Commons Digital Outreach Team. Follow the @HouseofCommons on Twitter for updates on the UK House of Commons Chamber.