MPs debate remaining stages of Armed Forces Bill
9 March 2015
MPs debated the remaining stages of the Armed Forces (Service Complaints and Financial Assistance) Bill in the House of Commons on Monday 9 March 2015.
The Armed Forces (Service Complaints and Financial Assistance) Bill passed the Report Stage and Third Reading in the House of Commons with amendments.
- Watch Parliament TV: Remaining stages of the Armed Forces (Service Complaints and Financial Assistance) Bill
- Read Commons Hansard: Remaining stages of the Armed Forces (Service Complaints and Financial Assistance) Bill
- Catch up on Commons news: MPs debate Armed Forces (Service Complaints and Financial Assistance) Bill
- Read current Parliamentary material in Topics: Armed forces
Related information
Summary of the Armed Forces (Service Complaints and Financial Assistance) Bill
The Bill would improve and strengthen the Service Complaints system by transforming the existing Service Complaints Commissioner into a new Service Complaints Ombudsman. It also contains provisions relating to financial assistance for the armed forces community.
Progress of the Bill
The Bill completed its House of Lords stages on 20 October 2014 and was presented to the House of Commons on 21 October 2014. It had its second reading on 2 February 2015. Keep up to date with all the proceedings and documentation, including amendment papers on the Armed Forces (Service Complaints and Financial Assistance) Bill and find out how a Bill becomes an Act of Parliament.
- Follow Bills before Parliament: Armed Forces (Service Complaints and Financial Assistance) Bill
- About Parliament: Passage of a Bill
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.
The Library has published a briefing paper for the report stage and third reading.
What is the report stage of a bill?
The report stage gives MPs an opportunity, on the floor of the House, to consider any further amendments (proposals for change) to a bill which has been examined in a public bill committee or on the floor of the House. There is no set time period between the end of committee stage and the start of the report stage.
What happens at report stage?
All MPs may speak and vote. For lengthy or complex bills, the debates may be spread over several days. All MPs can suggest amendments to the bill or new clauses (parts) that they think should be added.
What happens after report stage?
Report stage is usually followed immediately by debate on the bill's third reading.
What happens at third reading?
Debate on the bill is usually short, and limited to what is actually in the bill, rather than, as at second reading, what might have been included.
Amendments (proposals for change) cannot be made to a bill at a third reading in the Commons. At the end of the debate, the House decides (votes on) whether to approve the third reading of the bill.
What happens after third reading?
If the bill started in the Commons it goes to the House of Lords for its first reading. If the bill started in the Lords it returns to the House of Lords for consideration of any amendments the Commons has made.
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.