MPs consider Lords amendments to European Union Referendum Bill
8 December 2015 (updated on 8 December 2015)
MPs debated amendments made by the House of Lords to the European Union Referendum Bill on Tuesday 8 December 2015.
The Parliamentary Secretary for the Cabinet Office, John Penrose, opened the debate. The Shadow Minister for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Pat McFadden, responded on behalf of the Opposition.
Lords amendment 1 was disagreed to (Division No. 144, Ayes 303 votes, Noes 253 votes). This amendment engaged Commons financial privilege.
Lords Amendments 5, 6, 2 to 4 and 7 to 46 were agreed to without a vote.
A message has now been sent to the House of Lords giving the Reason for the Commons disagreement to Lords Amendment 1.
- Watch Parliament TV: Consideration of Lords amendments to the European Union Referendum Bill
- Read Commons Hansard: Consideration of Lords amendments to the European Union Referendum Bill
- Read Bill documents: European Union Referendum Bill Lords Amendments
- Read Votes and Proceedings 8 December 2015, item 7 European Union Referendum Bill (Reasons Committee)
- Read current Parliamentary material in Topics: European Union
Related information
Commons financial privilege
Financial privilege refers to the special right of the House of Commons to decide public taxes and public spending. It may be used by the Commons as grounds for overruling any House of Lords proposal that has cost implications.
Summary of the Bill
A Bill To make provision for the holding of a referendum in the United Kingdom and Gibraltar on whether the United Kingdom should remain a member of the European Union.
Progress of the Bill
This Government Bill was introduced to the House of Commons on 28 May 2015. The Bill completed its remaining stages in the House of Commons on 7 September 2015. The Bill then went to the House of Lords for consideration.
- Catch up on news: Commons remaining stages: European Union Referendum Bill
- Catch up on news: European Union Referendum Bill: Lords third reading
Keep up to date with all the proceedings and documentation, including amendment papers on the European Union Referendum 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.
Lords Amendments
When a Bill has passed through third reading in both Houses it is returned to the first House (where it started) for the second House's amendments (proposals for change) to be considered.
Both Houses must agree on the exact wording of the Bill. There is no set time period between the third reading of a Bill and consideration of any Commons or Lords amendments.
What happens after consideration of amendments?
Once the Commons and Lords agree on the final version of the Bill, it can receive Royal Assent and become an Act of Parliament (the proposals of the Bill now become law).
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.