Bills have to go through the same stages in both Houses. However, procedures differ considerably. In the Lords, for example, there are no guillotine or programme motions and no selection of amendments for debate: all amendments tabled by peers are considered. One other major difference is when the Bill reaches Third Reading. In the Commons,…
Sometimes a peer has to add a territorial title to their name if there is already a peer using the same surname. When I received my peerage, there was already a Lord Norton, a hereditary peer. As I wanted to retain my surname, I had to add a territorial title. There is thus a difference between…
As debate in the House of Lords this week was dominated by the two-day debate on the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill, I thought this quiz might usefully focus on the debate and those who participated. It was something of a marathon debate, with just over ninety speakers and a remarkable turnout on a free…
The House completed a two-day debate on the Second Reading of the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill yesterday. Cross-bench peer Lord Dear moved an amendment to reject the Bill. There was a packed House and an exceptionally high turnout. The amendment was defeated by 390 votes to 148. The turnout was even higher than these figures…
The Marriage (Same-sex Couples) Bill has completed its passage through the Commons. It was given a Third Reading by 366 votes to 161. It has now arrived in the Lords, having been given its formal First Reading at the end of proceedings yesterday. It is scheduled for Second Reading on the first day the House…
