Commons second reading: European Union Referendum Bill
9 June 2015 (updated on 9 June 2015)
MPs debated the second reading of the European Union Referendum Bill in the House of Commons on Tuesday 9 June 2015.
Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Philip Hammond, opened the debate. Shadow Foreign Secretary, Hilary Benn, responded on behalf of the Opposition.
The Amendment selected by the Speaker, in the name of Alex Salmond, was negatived on division. (Division No. 5: Ayes 59 votes, Noes 338 votes)
The Bill passed second reading on division. (Division No. 6: Ayes 544 votes, Noes 53 votes)
- Watch Parliament TV: Second reading debate of the European Union Referendum Bill
- Read Commons Hansard: Second reading debate of the European Union Referendum Bill
Related information
Summary of the European Union Referendum 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 presented to Parliament on 28 May 2015. This is known as the first reading and there was no debate on the Bill at this stage.
The Bill had its second reading debate on Tuesday 9 June 2015.
A programme motion following second reading was agreed to. The Bill will be considered by a Committee of the whole House over two days, provisionally on 16 and 18 June 2015.
The programme motion also schedules the report and third reading stages to take place over one day.
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.
- Follow Bills before Parliament: European Union Referendum Bill
- About Parliament: Passage of a Bill
- Glossary: Programme motion
- Read Commons Hansard: European Union Referendum Bill Programme
- Glossary: Committee of the whole House
Further reading
The following documents and news stories are relevant to the second reading debate:
- The UK and the EU: reform, renegotiation, withdrawal? A bibliography
- EU exit: impact in key UK policy areas
- Exiting the EU: UK reform proposals, legal impact and alternatives to membership
- In brief: UK-EU economic relations
- Commons Library News: Three briefings on EU referendum Bill published by Commons Library
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?
Most Bills are dealt with in a Public Bill Committee, but a minority of Bills are dealt with by a Committee of the Whole House. This takes place on the floor of the House of Commons, with every MP able to take part.
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.