Private Members' Bills

HL Deb 07 July 1999 vol 603 cc109-10WA

Lord Renton

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether, before tabling any amendments in the House of Commons to Private Members' Bills introduced in the House of Lords, they will consult with and show such amendments to Lords who were responsible for those Bills during their passage through the House of Lords. [HL3280]

Lord Falconer of Thoroton

In principle the Government seek close co-operation with those responsible for private Peers' Bills and Private Members' Bills in another place. The degree of co-operation may depend on whether the Government support the Bill in question. Private Peers' Bills which pass the House of Lords are taken up in the House of Commons by an individual Member who is in charge of the Bill during its passage through that House. In many cases the Minister responsible for the subject area will also be a Member of the House of Commons. The normal practice would be for the Minister to liaise with the Member in charge of a Bill while it is in the Commons. Any government amendments, in either House, are available in the official papers of the House concerned for some days before they are debated and decided. Any amendments made in the Commons will return for further consideration in the Lords.