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Commons Private Members’ Bills: 23 January 2015

23 January 2015

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MPs debated a number of Private Members’ Bills in the House of Commons on Friday 23 January 2015, starting with Mark Spencer's Local Government (Review of Decisions) Bill.

Private Members’ Bills debated

The following Bills were debated on Friday 23 January 2015:

Local Government (Review of Decisions) Bill: Report Stage & Third Reading

This Bill, is sponsored by Mr Mark Spencer MP, seeks to make provision about the procedure for conducting investigations under Part 3 of the Local Government Act 1974; and to make provision for cases where an authority to which that Part applies takes a decision that affects the holding of an event for a reason relating to health or safety.

The Bill passed all of its stages in the House of Commons; it will now move to the House of Lords for consideration.

Working Time Directive (Limitation) Bill: Second Reading

This Bill, sponsored by Mr Christopher Chope MP, seeks to limit the application of the EU Working Time Directive; and for connected purposes.

This Bill started second reading debate but was adjourned. Debate is expected to resume on Friday 27 February 2015.

Private Members’ Bills debated and withdrawn

HS2 Funding Referendum Bill: Second Reading

This Bill, sponsored by Mr Christopher Chope MP, seeks to make provision for a national referendum on whether the proposed construction of the HS2 railway should be supported financially by the UK taxpayer.

This Bill has been withdrawn at the end of the debate and will not progress any further.

Overseas Voters Bill: Second Reading

This Bill, sponsored by Mr Christopher Chope MP, seeks to make provision to facilitate an increase in the registration of voters resident overseas who are eligible to participate in United Kingdom Parliamentary elections; to extend the criteria for eligibility to register as an overseas voter and to enable those registered as overseas voters to cast their votes through use of the internet; and for connected purposes.

This Bill has been withdrawn at the end of the debate and will not progress any further.

Private Members' Bill passed at second reading without debate

At the end of the sitting at 2.30pm bills cannot be debated, but may pass second reading if the motion is not objected to.

House of Lords (Expulsion and Suspension) Bill [Lords]: Second Reading

This Bill, sponsored by Sir George Young MP, seeks to make provision empowering the House of Lords to expel or suspend members.

This Bill completed its second reading without a debate and was committed to a public bill committee. 

Rescheduled Private Members’ Bills

The Second Reading stages of the following Bills have been rescheduled:

Zero Hours Contracts Bill: Second Reading [Day 2]

This Bill seeks to limit the use of zero-hours contracts; and for connected purposes.

The Second Reading stage of this Bill has been scheduled for Friday 27 February 2015.

Household Safety (Carbon Monoxide Detectors) Bill: Second Reading [Day 2]

This Bill seeks to introduce a requirement that a functioning carbon monoxide detector must be installed in all newly built and all rented residential properties; and for connected purposes.

The Second Reading stage of this Bill has been scheduled for Friday 6 March 2015.

Funeral Services Bill: Second Reading

This Bill seeks to require the Secretary of State to undertake a review of funeral affordability and costs; to require the providers of funeral services to offer a Simple Funeral Service; to require the Secretary of State to make certain arrangements relating to Funeral Payments; and for connected purposes.

The Second Reading stage of this Bill has been scheduled for Friday 27 February 2015.

Bat Habitats Regulation Bill: Second Reading

This Bill seeks to make provision to enhance the protection available for bat habitats in the non-built environment and to limit the protection for bat habitats in the built environment where the presence of bats has a significant adverse impact upon the users of buildings.

The Second Reading stage of this Bill has been scheduled for Friday 27 February 2015.

Energy (Buildings and Reduction of Fuel Use) Bill: Second Reading

This Bill seeks to require the Secretary of State to draw up and publish an Energy in Buildings Strategy; to require the Secretary of State to take reasonable steps to implement that Strategy; to require the Secretary of State to set cost-effective targets to reduce fuel use; and for connected purposes.

The Second Reading stage of this Bill has been scheduled for Friday 27 February 2015.

Houses in Multiple Occupation (Energy Performance Certificates and Minimum Energy Standards) Bill: Second Reading

This Bill seeks require the Secretary of State to make regulations about the renting out of houses in multiple occupation; to require landlords to provide energy performance certificates to prospective tenants; to set minimum energy efficiency standards for the letting of houses in multiple occupation; and for connected purposes.

The Second Reading stage of this Bill has been scheduled for Friday 27 February 2015.

Sugar in Food and Drinks (Targets, Labelling and Advertising) Bill: Second Reading

This Bill seeks to require the Secretary of State to set targets for sugar content in food and drinks; to provide that sugar content on food and drink labelling be represented in terms of the number of teaspoonfuls of sugar; to provide for standards of information provision in advertising of food and drinks; and for connected purposes

The Second Reading stage of this Bill has been scheduled for Friday 27 February 2015.

Defence Expenditure (NATO Target) Bill: Second Reading

This Bill seeks to make provision about the meeting by the United Kingdom of the target for defence expenditure to constitute a minimum of 2% of Gross Domestic Product; to make provision that the definition of defence expenditure is subject to independent verification; and for connected purposes.

The Second Reading stage of this Bill has been scheduled for Friday 27 February 2015.

Convicted Prisoners Voting Bill: Second Reading [Day 2]

This Bill seeks to make provision for rules relating to the exclusion of convicted prisoners from participation in Parliamentary and Local Elections.

The Second Reading stage of this Bill has been scheduled for Friday 27 February 2015.

Benefit Entitlement (Restriction) Bill: Second Reading

This Bill seeks to make provision to restrict the entitlement of non-UK citizens from the European Union and the European Economic Area to taxpayer-funded benefits.

Road Traffic Regulation (Temporary Closure for Filming) Bill: Second Reading [Day 2]

This Bill seeks to make provision for the restriction or regulation of traffic on roads in connection with filming; and for connected purposes.

The Second Reading stage of this Bill has been scheduled for Friday 27 February 2015.

Illegal Immigrants (Criminal Sanctions) Bill: Second Reading [Day 2]

This Bill seeks to make provision for criminal sanctions against those who have entered the UK illegally or who have remained in the UK without legal authority.

The Second Reading stage of this Bill has been scheduled for Friday 27 February 2015.

House of Lords (Maximum Membership) Bill: Second Reading

This Bill seeks to provide for a maximum limit on the number of Peers entitled to vote in the House of Lords; and to provide for a moratorium on new appointments.

The Second Reading stage of this Bill has been scheduled for Friday 27 February 2015.

EU Membership (Audit of Costs and Benefits) Bill: Second Reading

This Bill  seeks to require an independent audit of the benefits and costs of UK membership of the European Union.

The Second Reading stage of this Bill has been scheduled for Friday 27 February 2015.

Wild Animals in Circuses Bill: Second Reading

This Bill seeks to prohibit the use of wild animals in circuses; and for connected purposes.

The Second Reading stage of this Bill has been scheduled for Friday 27 February 2015.

Private Members’ Bills not moved

United Kingdom Parliament (Sovereignty and Jurisdiction over Borders) Bill: Second Reading

This Bill seeks to make provision for the supremacy of the sovereignty of the United Kingdom Parliament in relation to the United Kingdom's membership of the European Union, including matters in respect of borders and immigration; and for connected purposes.

This Bill was not moved for debate on 23 January 2015.

Women’s Refuges (Provision and Eligibility) Bill: Second Reading

This Bill seeks to require provision of women’s refuges in certain areas; to set out requirements of local councils relating to women’s refuges; and for connected purposes.

This Bill was not moved for debate on 23 January 2015.

Related Information

About Private Members’ Bills

Private Members' Bills are Public Bills introduced by MPs and Lords who are not government ministers. As with other Public Bills, their purpose is to change the law as it applies to the general population.

A minority of Private Members' Bills become law but, by creating publicity around an issue, they may affect legislation indirectly.

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.

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