This week in the Commons: 11 - 14 April
15 April 2016 (updated on 15 April 2016)
This week in the House of Commons MPs debated the Finance Bill, contaminated blood, diversity in the BBC and more.
Legislation: Government Bills
Finance (No. 2) Bill
The Finance (No. 2) Bill was presented in the Commons (First Reading) on 22 March 2016. The Bill passed Second Reading on Monday 11 April. Parts of the Bill will be considered by a Committee of the whole House, and the remainder in a Public Bill Committee.
Legislation: Private Members' Bills
Two Private Members' Bills were introduced to the House following Ten Minute Rule Motions this week:
- Events and Festivals (Control of Flares, Fireworks and Smoke Bombs Etc) Bill
- Improvement of Rail Passenger Services (Use of Disruption Payments) Bill
Private Members' Bills are debated on thirteen Fridays in each session. The last sitting Friday for the consideration of Private Members' Bills for the 2015-16 session was 11 March 2016.
Urgent Questions and Statements
There were no Urgent Questions asked this week:
There were three Ministerial Statements this week.
- Parliament news: Statement on the Panama Papers
- Parliament news: Statement on the UK Steel Industry
- Parliament news: Statement on Government Referendum leaflet
Emergency debate
The House of Commons held an emergency debate on the UK steel industry on Tuesday 12 April 2016.
The Commons agreed to an application for an emergency debate made by the Shadow Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, Angela Eagle, on Monday 11 April 2016.
Prime Minister's Questions
On Wednesday 13 April 2016 MPs asked the Prime Minister questions about investigations into tax evasion, opt-out organ donation, conversion of schools to academies and more.
Watch PMQs from this week:
Opposition day debates
On Wednesday 13 April, MPs debated tax avoidance and evasion and the Schools White Paper in the House of Commons, the subjects of the debate were chosen by the Opposition.
Backbench business debates
On Tuesday 12 April in the Commons Chamber, MPs took part in two general debates which had been scheduled by the
Backbench Business Committee.
On Thursday 14 April in the Commons Chamber, MPs took part in two general debates which had been scheduled by the
Backbench Business Committee.
- Parliament news: MPs debate the National Security checking of the Iraq inquiry report
- Parliament news: Chamber debate on Diversity in the BBC
Westminster Hall debates
Debates on a variety of different subjects also took place in Westminster Hall on Tuesday 12, Wednesday 13 and Thursday 14 April. See the Parliamentary calendar to find out what subjects were debated.
Select Committees
News from Parliamentary Select Committees, including the publication of reports and details of inquiries and evidence sessions are also available online.
Follow the @HouseofCommons on Twitter for updates on the UK House of Commons Chamber.