Commons Private Members’ Bills: 26 February 2016
26 February 2016 (updated on 26 February 2016)
MPs debated a number of Private Members’ Bills in the House of Commons on Friday 26 February 2016.
Private Members’ Bills debated
The following Bills were debated on Friday 26 February 2016.
Overseas Voters Bill: Second Reading
This Bill, sponsored by Mr Christopher Chope MP, seeks to make provision to facilitate an increase in the registration of voters resident overseas who are eligible to participate in United Kingdom Parliamentary elections; to extend the criteria for eligibility to register as an overseas voter; to enable those registered as overseas voters to cast their votes through use of the internet; and for connected purposes.
- Watch Parliament TV: Overseas Voters Bill
- Read Commons Hansard: Overseas Voters Bill
- Find out more about the Overseas Voters Bill
This Bill was withdrawn at the end of debate and will not progress any further.
EU Membership (Audit of Costs and Benefits) Bill: Second Reading
The Bill, sponsored by Mr Peter Bone MP, seeks to make provision to require an independent audit of the benefits and costs of UK membership of the European Union.
- Watch Parliament TV: EU Membership (Audit of Costs and Benefits) Bill
- Read Commons Hansard: EU Membership (Audit of Costs and Benefits) Bill
- Find out more about the EU Membership (Audit of Costs and Benefits) Bill
Debate on this Bill was suspended at the end of the session, and is scheduled to begin again on Friday 4 March 2016.
Rescheduled Private Members' Bills
Off-Shore Wind Farm Subsidies (Restriction) Bill: Second Reading
The Bill, sponsored by Mr Christopher Chope MP, seeks to make provision for the limitation of subsidies for the development and operation of off-shore wind farms.
- Watch Parliament TV: Off-Shore Wind Farm Subsidies (Restriction) Bill
- Read Commons Hansard: Off-Shore Wind Farm Subsidies (Restriction) Bill
- Find out more about the Off-Shore Wind Farm Subsidies (Restriction) Bill
This Bill was withdrawn and has been rescheduled for Friday 4 March 2016.
Defence Expenditure (NATO Target) Bill: Second Reading
The Bill, sponsored by Sir Gerald Howarth MP, seeks to make provision about the meeting by the UK 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 Second Reading stage of this Bill has been scheduled for Friday 4 March 2016.
Convicted Prisoners Voting Bill: Second Reading
The Bill, sponsored by Christopher Chope MP, seeks to make provision for rules relating to the exclusion of convicted prisoners from participation in parliamentary and local elections.
The Second Reading stage of this Bill has been scheduled for Friday 4 March 2016.
UK Borders Control Bill: Second Reading
The Bill, sponsored by Christopher Chope MP, seeks to make provision to ensure that the United Kingdom has absolute control over the right to prevent non-UK citizens from entering the United Kingdom; to determine the circumstances in which non-UK citizens may be required to leave the United Kingdom; and for connected purposes.
The Second Reading stage of this Bill has been scheduled for Friday 4 March 2016.
House of Lords (Maximum Membership) Bill: Second Reading
The Bill, sponsored by Christopher Chope MP, seeks to provide for a maximum limit on the number of Peers entitled to vote in the House of Lords; and to provide for a moratorium on new appointments.
The Second Reading stage of this Bill has been scheduled for Friday 4 March 2016.
Crown Tenancies Bill: Second Reading
The Bill, sponsored by Mark Pawsey MP, to provide that Crown tenancies may be assured tenancies for the purposes of the Housing Act 1988, subject to certain exceptions; to modify the assured tenancies regime in relation to certain Crown tenancies; and for connected purposes.
The Second Reading stage of this Bill has been scheduled for Friday 4 March 2016.
Working Time Directive (Limitation) Bill: Second Reading
The Bill, sponsored by Christopher Chope MP, seeks to limit the application of the EU Working Time Directive; and for connected purposes.
The Second Reading stage of this Bill has been scheduled for Friday 4 March 2016.
Automatic Electoral Registration (No. 2) Bill: Second Reading
The Bill, sponsored by Siobhain McDonagh MP, seeks to impose certain duties upon Her Majesty’s Government to ensure the accuracy, completeness and utility of electoral registers; to make provision for the sharing of data for the purposes of electoral registration; and for connected purposes.
The Second Reading stage of this Bill has been scheduled for Friday 11 March 2016.
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.
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 @HouseofCommons on Twitter for updates on the UK House of Commons Chamber.