Immigration Bill: Commons second reading
13 October 2015 (updated on 13 October 2015)
MPs debated the second reading of the Immigration Bill in the House of Commons on Tuesday 13 October 2015.
Home Secretary, Theresa May, opened the debate.
Shadow Home Secretary, Andy Burnham, responded on behalf of the Opposition.
The Immigration Bill passed second reading following a division and it will now be considered in a Public Bill Committee. (Division 75, Ayes 323, Noes 274).
- Watch Parliament TV: second reading debate of the Immigration Bill
- Read Commons Hansard: second reading debate of the Immigration Bill
- Read current Parliamentary material in Topics: Immigration
The Speaker selected a reasoned amendment in the name of the Leader of the Opposition, Jeremy Corbyn, for debate. The amendment was disagreed to on division. (Division 74, Ayes 282, Noes 322).
Related information
Summary of the Immigration Bill
A Bill To make provision about the law on immigration and asylum; to make provision about access to services, facilities, licences and work by reference to immigration status; to make provision about the Director of Labour Market Enforcement; to make provision about language requirements for public sector workers; to make provision about fees for passports and civil registration; and for connected purposes.
Progress of the Bill
The Bill was introduced into the House of Commons on 17 September 2015. This is known as the first reading and there was no debate on the Bill at this stage.
Keep up to date with all the proceedings and documentation, including amendment papers, on the Immigration 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 second reading of the Bill is agreed MPs will also consider a programme motion on Tuesday 13 October 2015.
If the programme motion is agreed the Bill will be considered in a public bill committee, which is scheduled in the programme motion to conclude by Tuesday 17 November 2015, but could finish earlier.
The programme motion would also schedule the report and third reading stages to take place over one day, the date of which is yet to be announced.
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.