European Union (Approvals) Bill: Commons second reading
3 November 2015 (updated on 3 November 2015)
MPs debated the second reading of the European Union (Approvals) Bill in the House of Commons on Tuesday 3 November 2015.
The Minister for Employment, Priti Patel, opened the debate. The Shadow Minister for Work and Pensions, Nick Thomas-Symonds, responded on behalf of the Opposition.
The Bill passed without a division and will now be considered by a Committee of the whole House.
- Watch Parliament TV: Second reading debate of the European Union (Approvals) Bill
- Read Commons Hansard: Second reading debate of the European Union (Approvals) Bill
- Read current Parliamentary material in Topics: European Union
- Read current Parliamentary material in Topics: Employment
Related information
Summary of the European Union (Approvals) Bill
A Bill 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.
Progress of the Bill
The Bill was introduced to the House of Lords on 25 June 2015. It completed its Lords stages on 16 September 2015 and was introduced to the Commons with first reading on 17 September 2015.
Keep up to date with all the proceedings and documentation, including amendment papers, on the European Union (Approvals) Bill and find out how a bill becomes an Act of Parliament.
Related information
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 Bill passes second reading and the programme motion is agreed, the Bill will progress to a Committee of the whole House. The programme motion would also schedule the report and third reading stages to take place over one day.
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.