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House of Commons
Session 2002-03
Publications on the internet
Procedure Committee Publications

Procedure - Fourth Report

Here you can browse the report together with the Proceedings of the Committee. The published report was ordered by the House of Commons to be printed 19 November 2003.


CONTENTS


Terms of Reference

Summary

1 Introduction

2 Debates

Debates: the existing arrangements

Criticisms and proposals for change

Front-bench speeches

Shorter back-bench speeches

Priority to speak

Lists of speakers

The "alternate sides" convention

Undelivered speeches

Parliamentary conventions

Reading speeches  

Initiative in choosing subjects for debate

Tuesday and Wednesday evenings

"Injury time" on Opposition Days

A business committee

3 Private Members' Bills

The current arrangements

Drafting assistance

Government approach to private Members' bills

Carry-over of bills to next session

Other times of the week

Proposals for procedural change

4 Powers of the Speaker

Emergency recall of the House

Business during a recall

Conclusions and recommendations

Appendix: Conventions and Courtesies of the House

Formal minutes

Witnesses

MINUTES OF EVIDENCE

Wednesday 22 January 2003

Wednesday 29 January 2003

Wednesday 12 February 2003

Wednesday 5 March 2003

Wednesday 26 March 2003

Wednesday 14 May 2003

Wednesday 11 June 2003

Wednesday 17 September 2003

List of written evidence

Reports from the Procedure Committee since 2001


 
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Prepared 27 November 2003