Presentation of Private Members’ Bills: Dates for second reading announced

Twenty lucky MPs were drawn in a Private Members’ Bills ballot which took place last month, and these MPs have spent the past few weeks deciding on which topic they wish to introduce legislation.

The twenty Members and their chosen bills (including dates for Second Reading debates as things stand) are:

• Mark Jenkinson - Education (Careers Guidance in Schools) – 10 September
• Barry Gardiner - Employment and Trade Union Rights (Dismissal and Re-engagement) – 22 October
• Carolyn Harris - Menopause (Support and Services) – 29 October
• Dr Liam Fox - Down Syndrome – 26 November
• Sajid Javid - Marriage and Civil Partnership (Minimum Age) – 19 November
• Kevin Brennan - Copyright (Rights and Remuneration of Musicians, Etc.) – 3 December
• Jeff Smith - Medical Cannabis (Access) – 10 December
• Colum Eastwood - Climate Change – 10 December
• Peter Gibson - Taxis and Private Hire Vehicles (Safeguarding and Road Safety) – 10 September
• Dr Ben Spencer - Planning (Enforcement) – 19 November
• Mel Stride - Cultural Objects (Protection from Seizure) – 10 September
• Margaret Ferrier - Pension Schemes (Conversion of Guaranteed Minimum Pensions) – 26 November
• Matt Rodda – Childcare – 29 October
• Jane Stevenson - Glue Traps (Offences) – 19 November
• Chris Bryant - Acquired Brain Injury – 3 December
• Sir Paul Beresford – Local Government (Disqualification) – 22 October
• Jeremy Wright - Taxis and Private Hire Vehicles (Disabled Persons) – 14 January
• Richard Fuller - Hare Coursing – 21 January
• Andrew Rosindell - Animals (Penalty Notices) – 29 October
• Rosie Cooper - British Sign Language – 28 January

*Second Reading debate dates may be subject to change

See the full list of bills including descriptive long titles in today’s Order Paper. It is up to the individual Members to decide on their bill’s topic.

13 Fridays in each parliamentary session are allocated to debating these bills, although they will need to go through all legislative stages in both Houses of Parliament before they can become law (or an ‘Act’). You can find out more on bill stages on our website here.

The Government announced a schedule of sitting Fridays earlier this week, with the first Private Members’ Bill Friday now expected to take place on 10 September.

Priority in debating time is given to those MPs who have appeared near the top of the ballot, although all twenty bills will formally appear on the House of Commons order paper.

Private Members’ Bills are Public Bills introduced by MPs who are not government Ministers. The successful MPs from this year’s ballot will now have their chance to make their mark on the law in the current session.