End of the 2015-17 Parliament
5 May 2017
The 2016-17 Parliamentary session was brought to a close with a 'prorogation' announcement on Thursday 27 April 2017.
Parliament dissolved on Wednesday 3 May for the 2017 General Election on 8 June.
What is prorogation?
Prorogation marks the formal end of the Parliamentary session. It usually takes the form of an announcement, read on behalf of the Queen, in the House of Lords chamber.
About the prorogation announcement
The announcement lists the major pieces of legislation passed during the session and also describes other measures taken by the government during the Parliamentary year.
Once it has been read in the Lords, the same announcement is repeated by the Speaker in the House of Commons.
New legislation
The following Bills received Royal Assent on Thursday 27 April 2017:
- Broadcasting (Radio Multiplex Services) Bill
- Bus Services Bill
- Children and Social Work Bill
- Criminal Finances Bill
- Digital Economy Bill
- Farriers (Registration) Bill
- Faversham Oyster Fishery Company Bill
- Finance (No. 2) Bill
- Guardianship (Missing Persons) Bill
- Health Service Medical Supplies (Costs) Bill
- Higher Education and Research Bill
- Homelessness Reduction Bill
- Intellectual Property (Unjustified Threats) Bill
- Local Audit (Public Access to Documents) Bill
- Merchant Shipping (Homosexual Conduct) Bill
- National Citizen Service Bill
- Neighbourhood Planning Bill
- Northern Ireland (Ministerial Appointments and Regional Rates) Bill
- Parking Places (Variation of Charges) Bill
- Pension Schemes Bill
- Preventing and Combating Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence (Ratification of Convention) Bill
- Technical and Further Education Bill
What is dissolution?
Dissolution of Parliament
The Queen made a Proclamation dissolving the 2015-17 Parliament at a meeting of the Privy Council on 3 May 2017. The Proclamation was then brought to the Houses of Parliament for the dissolution formalities to be completed. It was sealed with the Great Seal of the Realm and Parliament was formally dissolved.
By tradition, once the Proclamation has been signed by the Queen, it is publicised as soon as it has been received. It was delivered by hand by the Privy Council Office to the Serjeant-at-Arms of the City of London at the Lord Mayor’s official residence, Mansion House. The Serjeant - also known as the Common Cryer - then proceeded to the Royal Exchange in the City of London and read out the Proclamation on 4 May at 10am.
- Read the 3 May proclamation for declaring the calling of a new Parliament (external site)
- Find out more about the General Election 2017 timetable
- Find out more about the Dissolution of Parliament
What happens next?
New Parliament and State Opening
The Prime Minister will ask Her Majesty to summon the new Parliament to meet on Tuesday 13 June, when the business will be the election of the Speaker of the House of Commons and the swearing-in of MPs and members of the House of Lords.
The State Opening of Parliament will follow on Wednesday 21 June.