Passing a Bill

Question 1

Can House of Commons amend a bill at a Third Reading?

Answer 1

Usually no

Question 2

What are the stages of a bill?

Answer 2

1. First Reading - presentation of the bill by the Government
2. Second Reading - debating
3. Committee Stage - line by line scrutiny of the bill (could be by a select group of MPs, or if sufficiently important, by all MPs)
4. Report Stage - further debate
5. Third Reading - final review
   bill gets sent to the other House, and may come back with amendments
6. Royal Assent