MPs debate the Infrastructure Bill
8 December 2014
MPs debated the second reading of the Infrastructure Bill in the House of Commons on Monday 8 December 2014.
The debate was opened by the Minister of State for Transport, John Hayes. Shadow Minister for Transport, Richard Burden, responded on behalf of the Opposition.
The Bill passed second reading on division (Ayes 276, Noes 10, Division 113) and will now be considered by a Public Bill Committee.
- Watch Parliament TV: MPs debate second reading of the Infrastructure Bill
- Read Commons Hansard: MPs debate second reading of the Infrastructure Bill
- Read current Parliamentary material in Topics: Planning
Related information
Summary of the Infrastructure Bill
This Bill provides for:
- a new Strategic Highways Company, a Road Investment Strategy and a new monitor and watchdog for the company;
- a new regime for the control of invasive species and species that are no longer normally present;
- changes to planning law affecting development consent orders for nationally significant infrastructure projects and discharging some types of planning conditions;
- the direct transfer of surplus public sector land held by an arm’s length body of a Government department to the Homes and Communities Agency or Greater London Authority;
- the transfer of responsibility for Local Land Charge searches from individual local authorities in England and Wales to the Land Registry;
- the introduction of zero carbon homes, through building regulations;
- an electricity community right to buy for onshore renewables;
- a new strategic approach for the recovery of oil and gas reserves;
- streamlined access to onshore oil and gas reserves (for example when fracking for shale gas) and geothermal energy; and
- the implementation of the international agreement, the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative.
Progress of the Bill
The Bill completed its House of Lords stages on 19 November 2014 and was presented to the House of Commons on 20 November 2014. 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 Infrastructure Bill 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 the following briefing papers for the Infrastructure Bill.
- Library briefing paper: Infrastructure Bill
- Library briefing paper: Infrastructure Bill: Planning Provisions
What happens at second reading of a bill?
At second reading the House debates the whole principle of the bill. It usually takes place no sooner than two weekends after first reading.
The Member in charge or the Minister moves the motion 'that the bill be now read a second time'. MPs then debate the bill. At the end of the debate the Speaker determines whether there are any objections to the motion being debated and asks for the Ayes and Noes.
Members voice their opinion, and if no objections are made, the bill passes second reading without a vote. If the Speaker believes Members have voiced disagreement, a division is called and a vote taken.
What happens after second reading?
If the motion at second reading is agreed to, the Bill will go to a Public Bill Committee for consideration.
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.