7.177  Where a bill affects the prerogative or interest of the Crown, the Consent of the Crown is required and in respect of public bills must be signified to the House by a minister who is a Privy Counsellor. This Consent places the Crown's prerogative and interest at the disposal of Parliament for the purposes of the bill, but does not imply that the Crown approves the provisions that require its Consent.

7.178  A bill affecting the interests of the Duchy of Cornwall or the Duchy of Lancaster requires Consent, unless the Crown's Consent has been obtained and the effect on the Duchy is not distinct from that on the Crown. In such a case Consent is given by the Crown on behalf of each Duchy or, when the Prince of Wales is of age, by Him as Duke of Cornwall.

7.179  In the case of a bill affecting the prerogative of the Crown, Consent is signified before the motion for second reading. If a bill affects the interests of the Crown but not the prerogative, the normal practice is to signify Consent on third reading in order to take account of any amendments made to the bill.

7.180  The Consent of the Crown may also be signified on consideration of Commons amendments if it has not been previously signified and one of the Commons amendments makes it necessary.

MEASURES AND PRIVATE BILLS

7.181  Consent of the Crown may also be required in respect of a Measure or a private bill (see paragraphs 7.219 and 8.52).