MPs debate remaining stages of the Water Bill

MPs debated the remaining stages of the Water Bill in the House of Commons, with the the report stage and third reading of the Bill both taking place on Monday 6 January 2014.

Hywel Williams opened the debate on report stage. Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Dan Rogerson, responded on behalf of the Government.

New clause 1: legislative competence for water in Wales, tabled by Hywel Williams, was negatived on division (Ayes 6, Noes 282, Division 165)

New clause 3: provision of benefits information, and new clause 4: sustainable drainage and automatic right to connect, tabled by Miss Anne McIntosh, were withdrawn.

New clause 7: National Affordability Scheme, tabled by Thomas Docherty, was negatived on division (Ayes 216, Noes 291, Division 166)

New clause 11: duties of undertakers to furnish the Secretary of State with information: annual review, tabled by Thomas Docherty, was negatived on division (Ayes 218, Noes 289, Division 167)

All amendments, and new schedule 1, tabled by the Government, were agreed on question without a vote.

The Bill passed third reading on question, without a vote.

Related information

Summary of the Water Bill

To make provision about the water industry; about compensation for modification of licences to abstract water; about main river maps; about records of waterworks; for the regulation of the water environment; about the provision of flood insurance for household premises; about internal drainage boards; about Regional Flood and Coastal Committees; and for connected purposes.

Progress of the Bill

The bill was introduced to the House of Commons on 27 June 2013 and had its second reading on 25 November 2013. The bill has completed all its stages in the House of Commons, and will now go to the House of Lords for consideration.

Keep up to date with all the proceedings and documentation, including amendment papers, on the Water 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 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 briefing paper for second reading.

Read Library briefing paper: Water 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.