Part of the debate – in the House of Commons am 12:00 am ar 9 Rhagfyr 1947.
Mr Philip Noel-Baker
, Derby
12:00,
9 Rhagfyr 1947
I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read the Third time."
I only wish to say how gratifying it was to all of us that there was such unanimity in our Debate on Second Reading yesterday. I hope that the people of New Zealand will see the Debates in both Houses of our Parliament, and will accept them as our tribute to their Dominion, as the expression of our deep affection for them and our recognition of the greatness of the ahievements of New Zealand under Parliamentary government, both in peace and war.
As a bill passes through Parliament, MPs and peers may suggest amendments - or changes - which they believe will improve the quality of the legislation.
Many hundreds of amendments are proposed by members to major bills as they pass through committee stage, report stage and third reading in both Houses of Parliament.
In the end only a handful of amendments will be incorporated into any bill.
The Speaker - or the chairman in the case of standing committees - has the power to select which amendments should be debated.
The Second Reading is the most important stage for a Bill. It is when the main purpose of a Bill is discussed and voted on. If the Bill passes it moves on to the Committee Stage. Further information can be obtained from factsheet L1 on the UK Parliament website.
