Commons Private Members’ Bills: 23 October 2015

MPs debated a number of Private Members’ Bills in the House of Commons on Friday 23 October 2015, starting with the Defence Expenditure (NATO Target) Bill.

Private Members’ Bills debated

The following Bills were debated on Friday 23 October 2015:

Defence Expenditure (NATO Target) Bill: Second Reading

This Bill, sponsored by Sir Gerald Howarth MP, seeks to make provision about the meeting by the United Kingdom of the NATO target for defence expenditure in each member state to constitute not less than 2 per cent of gross domestic product; to make provision for verification that NATO’s criteria for defence expenditure are met in calculating the UK’s performance against this target; and for connected purposes.

The Bill was stood over as fewer than forty Members had taken part in the Division.

Higher Education (Information) Bill: Second Reading

This Bill, sponsored by Heidi Allen MP, seeks to require information to be made available to prospective undergraduate students about what is provided to students for the tuition fees charged, how tuition fee resources are expended and what is expected of students; to establish transparency in how tuition fees are spent; and for connected purposes.

This Bill started its second reading debate but the debate was adjourned. It is expected to resume its debate on Friday 30 January 2015.

At the end of the sitting at 2.30pm bills cannot be debated, but may pass second reading if the motion is not objected to.

Rescheduled Private Members’ Bills

The Second Reading stages of the following Bills have been rescheduled:

EU Membership (Audit of Costs and Benefits) Bill: Second Reading

This Bill, sponsored by Peter Bone MP, seeks to require an independent audit of the benefits and costs of UK membership of the European Union.

The Second Reading stage of this Bill has been scheduled for Friday 26 February 2016.

Parks and Playing Fields in Public Ownership (Protection from Sale) Bill: Second Reading

This Bill, sponsored by Tom Pursglove MP, seeks to require public consultation to be carried out in local areas where the sale of park or playing field land owned by a public body is proposed; to require referendums on such proposals in certain circumstances; and for connected purposes.

The Second Reading stage of this Bill has been scheduled for Friday 5 February 2016.

Representation of the People (Young Persons' Enfranchisement and Education) Bill: Second Reading (Day 2)

This Bill started its second reading debate on Friday 11 September 2015, but the debate was adjourned.

This Bill, sponsored by Vicky Foxcroft MP, seeks to reduce the voting age to 16 in general elections, elections to the Scottish Parliament, the National Assembly for Wales, the Northern Ireland Assembly and the European Parliament, local government elections and referendums; to make provision about young people’s education in citizenship and the constitution; and for connected purposes.

The Second Reading stage of this Bill has been scheduled for Friday 20 November 2015.

Related Information

About Private Members’ Bills

Private Members' Bills are Public Bills introduced by MPs and Lords who are not government ministers. As with other Public Bills, their purpose is to change the law as it applies to the general population.

A minority of Private Members' Bills become law but, by creating publicity around an issue, they may affect legislation indirectly.

Find out more about Parliament: Private Members’ Bills

Watching proceedings from the public gallery

UK residents and overseas visitors can watch proceedings in the House of Commons by visiting the public gallery.

How to attend a debate in the Chamber or in Westminster Hall

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