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European Union (Referendum) Bill: Lords committee stage

3 February 2014

Image of UK Parliament portcullis

The EU (Referendum) Bill continued committee stage, the first chance for line by line scrutiny, in the Lords on Friday 31 January

EU (Referendum) Bill committee stage day one: Friday 24 January

An amendment to change the wording of the question asked in any future referendum on the UK's membership of the EU to that recommended by the Electoral Commission, was accepted with 245 votes in favour and 158 against. A second proposed change, to ensure adequate objective information about each outcome is available to voters ahead of a referendum, was also accepted. Members voted 183 in favour and 157 against.

EU (Referendum) Bill second reading: Friday 10 January

The EU (Referendum) Bill is a private member's bill – a type of public bill (that affects the public), which is introduced by an individual member rather than the government. Private members' bills must go through the same set of procedures as other public bills.

The bill was first introduced in the House of Commons. It was sponsored in the House of Lords by Lord Dobbs (Conservative). More than 65 members contributed to the debate.

EU (Referendum) Bill summary

The bill looks to make provision for a referendum in the UK on the UK’s membership of the EU.

Further information