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Investigatory Powers Bill: Commons stages

30 November 2016

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Both the House of Commons and the House of Lords have agreed on the text of the Investigatory Powers Bill. The Bill received Royal Assent on 29 November 2016 becoming an Act of Parliament (law).

Investigatory Powers Bill 2016-17

Summary of the Bill

The Investigatory Powers Bill aims to:

  • make provision about the interception of communications, equipment interference and the acquisition and retention of communications data, bulk personal datasets and other information
  • make provision about the treatment of material held as a result of such interception, equipment interference or acquisition or retention
  • establish the Investigatory Powers Commissioner and other Judicial Commissioners
  • to make further provision about investigatory powers and national security
  • to amend sections 3 and 5 of the Intelligence Services Act 1994

For further information on the Bill, you may wish to contact the Home Office.

Keep up to date with proceedings and documentation, including Bill stages, text of the Bill, tracked changes, explanatory notes and amendment papers on the Investigatory Powers Bill.

Investigatory Powers Bill: Commons stages

Royal Assent

The Investigatory Powers Bill received Royal Assent on 29 November 2016, becoming an Act of Parliament (law).

Consideration of Lords Amendments: Tuesday 15 November

The Commons insisted on its disagreement with Lords Amendments 15b, 15c, 338b, 339b, 339c and proposed amendments in lieu.  

The Bill returned to the House of Lords for further consideration. The Lords accepted the proposed amendments and the Bill received Royal Assent on 29 November 2016.

Consideration of Lords amendments: Tuesday 1 November

The Commons insisted on its disagreement with Lords Amendments Nos. 11-15, 338 and 339, and proposed amendments in lieu.

The Bill returned to the House of Lords for further consideration.

Report stage and Third Reading

Report stage of the Investigatory Powers Bill was held over two days in the Commons Chamber, Monday 6 June. Day two of the Report stage and the Third Reading of the Bill took place on Tuesday 7 June.

The Investigatory Powers Bill passed Third Reading on division (Division No. 13: Ayes 444 votes, Noes 69 votes).

The Bill then proceeded to the House of Lords

Committee stage

The Public Bill Committee considered the Bill from 24 March to 3 May 2016. The Public Bill Committee then reported the Bill to the House with amendments.

MPs agreed a carry-over motion on 15 March 2016 which allowed proceedings on the Bill to be resumed in the 2016-17 session of Parliament.

Find out more about the work of the Public Bill Committee.

Second Reading

MPs debated the Second Reading of the Investigatory Powers Bill in the House of Commons on Tuesday 15 March 2016.

The Bill passed Second Reading on division (Division No. 220, Ayes 281 votes, Noes 15 votes).

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 on amendments made to the Bill in Committee and subsequent amendments made by the House of Lords.

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.

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