MPs debate the Serious Crime Bill
5 January 2015 (updated on 5 January 2015)
MPs debated the second reading of the Serious Crime Bill in the House of Commons on Monday 5 January 2015.
The Secretary of State for the Home Department, Mrs Theresa May, opened the debate. The Shadow Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, responded on behalf of the Opposition.
The Bill passed second reading without division and will now be considered in a Public Bill Committee.
- Watch Parliament TV: Second reading debate of the Serious Crime Bill
- Read Commons Hansard: Second reading debate of the Serious Crime Bill
- Read current Parliamentary material in Topics: Crime, civil law, justice and rights
Related information
Summary of the Serious Crime Bill
A Bill to amend the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, the Computer Misuse Act 1990, Part 4 of the Policing and Crime Act 2009, section 1 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933, the Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003, the Prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Terrorism Act 2006; to make provision about involvement in organised crime groups and about serious crime prevention orders; to make provision for the seizure and forfeiture of drug-cutting agents; to make it an offence to possess an item that contains advice or guidance about committing sexual offences against children; to make provision approving for the purposes of section 8 of the European Union Act 2011 certain draft decisions under Article 352 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union relating to serious crime; and for connected purposes.
Progress of the Bill
The Bill was introduced to the House of Lords on 5 June 2014. It completed its Lords stages on 5 November 2014 and was introduced to the Commons with first reading on 6 Novemeber 2014.
Keep up to date with all the proceedings and documentation, including amendment papers, on the Serious Crime 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.
What happens at second reading?
At second reading the House debates the whole principle of the bill. It usually takes place no sooner than two weekends after first reading.
The Member in charge or the Minister moves the motion 'that the bill be now read a second time'. MPs then debate the bill. At the end of the debate the Speaker determines whether there are any objections to the motion being debated and asks for the Ayes and Noes.
Members voice their opinion, and if no objections are made, the bill passes second reading without a vote. If the Speaker believes Members have voiced disagreement, a division is called and a vote taken.
What happens after second reading?
If the motion at second reading is agreed to, the Bill will go to a Public Bill Committee for consideration.
The programme motion would also schedule the report and third reading stages to take place over one day. If the carry over motion is agreed the Bill will be resumed in the next session of Parliament if not previously concluded in this session.
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.