U.K., Nov. 11 -- UK Parliament issued the following news:
The Modernisation Committee today launches a new inquiry into Private Members' Bills as part of its ongoing work on how time is used in the Commons.
Private Members' Bills can be introduced by MPs who are not Government Ministers, often known as backbench MPs. It's up to the MP to choose the topic of the Bill.
Inquiry into Private Members' Bills
Modernisation Committee
Bills drawn in the Private Members' Bill ballot have the best chance of becoming law as they get priority for the limited amount of debating time allotted to Private Members' Bills. Thirteen Fridays in each Parliamentary session are allocated to debating Private Members' Bills, known as 'sitting Fridays'.
In the inquiry, the cross-party Committee of MPs will explore whether the amount of time allocated for considering Private Members' Bills is right, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of debating these Bills on Fridays, and what the procedural implications would be of moving these debates to another day.
The Committee will also investigate the effectiveness of the ballot and the use of presentation bills and Ten-Minute Rule bills as mechanisms for introducing and progressing Private Members' Bills.
Commenting on the new inquiry, Sir Alan Campbell MP, Chair of the Modernisation Committee and Leader of the House of Commons, said:
"Private Members' Bills are a brilliant way for MPs to raise awareness of issues of importance to them and their constituents, and occasionally to change the law.
"We want to know if the current arrangements can be improved. How can we use the time available in the House of Commons Chamber as effectively as possible? This is the key question underpinning our new inquiry into Private Members' Bills and we invite all those with an interest in, and knowledge of, this important area of Parliamentary procedure to submit evidence."
The Committee will draw upon the previous work and expertise of the Procedure Committee during the inquiry, and invites written evidence submissions from Members of Parliament, academics, stakeholder groups and those with insights into the process.
What are Private Members' Bills?
Private Members' Bills are bills introduced by MPs who are not government ministers. A minority of Private Members' Bills become law.
There are three ways in which an MP can introduce a Private Members' Bill: via the ballot, as a ten-minute-rule bill and as a presentation bill. Ballot bills have the best chance of becoming law, as they get priority for the limited amount of debating time available for Private Members' Bills.
Find out more about Private Members' Bills
Terms of reference
Private Members' Bills (PMBs) are currently given precedence over other business on 13 Fridays in each parliamentary session. What are your views on this arrangement, including the amount of time allocated for consideration of PMBs, the number of PMBs considered, and the use of Fridays for this business?
What are the potential advantages and disadvantages of holding consideration of PMBs on a day other than Friday?
What are the main procedural implications of moving consideration of PMBs to another day than Friday?
The first 20 Members eligible to introduce PMBs are currently determined through a ballot. What is your view of this process and its effectiveness? Could this process be improved? If so, how and through what procedural changes?
What are your views on the use of presentation bills and Ten-Minute Rule bills as mechanisms for introducing and progressing Private Members' Bills? What, if any, changes would you recommend? This could include suggestions for changes required to the House of Commons Standing Orders.
The inquiry is focused on the process for Private Members' Bills, rather than on the merits of individual Bills.
Written evidence submissions should be no more than 3,000 words. The closing date for submissions is Sunday 10 January.
Submissions can be made on the inquiry webpage .
Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.
