MPs debate remaining stages of Mesothelioma Bill

The Bill has now completed all its stages in the House of Commons and will return to the House of Lords for consideration of amendments.

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Related information

Summary of the Mesothelioma Bill

A Bill to establish a Diffuse Mesothelioma Payments Scheme and make related provision, and to make provision about the resolution of certain insurance disputes.

Progress of the Bill

The Bill completed its committee stage on 12 December 2013. It had its second reading debate on 2 December 2013. It was presented to Parliament on 29 August 2013.

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

• Follow Bills before Parliament: Mesothelioma 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.

• Read Library Briefing Paper: Mesothelioma Bill

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?

As 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.

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

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