Commons second reading: Scotland Bill
8 June 2015 (updated on 8 June 2015)
MPs debated the second reading of the Scotland Bill in the House of Commons on Monday 8 June 2015.
Secretary of State for Scotland, David Mundell, opened the debate. Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland, Ian Murray, responded on behalf of the Opposition.
The Bill passed second reading on 8 June 2015 without a vote.
- Watch Parliament TV: Second reading debate of the Scotland Bill
- Read Commons Hansard: Second reading debate of the Scotland Bill
Related information
Summary of the Scotland Bill
A Bill To amend the Scotland Act 1998 and make provision about the functions of the Scottish Ministers; and for connected purposes.
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 passed second reading on Monday 8 June 2015.
Following second reading the House of Commons agreed a programme motion. The programme motion schedules the Bill to be considered in a Committee of the whole House over four days. The first date for consideration by a Committee of the whole House has been given provisionally as 15 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 Scotland Bill and find out how a Bill becomes an Act of Parliament.
- Follow Bills before Parliament: Scotland Bill
- About Parliament: Passage of a Bill
- Read Commons Hansard: Scotland Bill: Programme
- Glossary: Programme motion
- Glossary: Committee of the whole House
Related information
Further reading
The following documents are relevant to the second reading debate:
- Scotland Bill: Welfare & Employment Support (Bill 3 of 2015-16)
- Devolution of financial powers to the Scottish Parliament: recent developments
- Transport in Scotland
- Scotland: Public spending and revenue
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.