New Lords private members' bills
30 June 2014
The House of Lords debated the main purpose and principles of three private members' bills, during second reading on Friday 27 June. They cover medical innovation, divorce settlements and proposed changes to parliamentary privilege.
A private member's bill is a type of public bill (that affects the public). Private members' bills must go through the same set of procedures as other public bills. These three private members' bills started their journey in the House of Lords.
Medical Innovation Bill
A bill to encourage responsible innovation in medical treatment.
Divorce (Financial Provision) Bill
A bill to amend the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973 in connection with financial settlements following divorce.
Parliamentary Privilege (Defamation) Bill
A bill to repeal section 13 of the Defamation Act 1996.
Parliamentary privilege grants certain legal immunities for members of both Houses which allow them to perform their duties without interference from outside the House.
All three bills now move to committee stage, the first chance for line by line scrutiny in the Lords. Dates have yet to be scheduled.