7.12 Report, third reading and title

When the clauses and Schedules of the Bill have been agreed to, the Minister moves that the Chair of Committees (who presides during the Committee stage of the Bill) leave the chair and report the Bill with or without amendment to the House. If a Bill is reported to the House without amendment, the Minister seeks leave of the House for permission to move the third reading of the Bill. When leave is granted, the Bill is read a third time. The Minister then moves that the title be agreed to. When the House agrees to the title of the Bill, it has been passed. If a Bill is reported with Amendment, the Minister moves that the Bill be taken into consideration before seeking leave to move to the third reading of the Bill.<,/p>

All of these procedural motions are included in the pro - forma running sheet given to the Minister, by the Clerk, prior to the commencement of the Committee of the Whole House stage.

On most occasions the third reading of a Bill is a formality with little, if any, debate and rarely is there a division or a proposed amendment. However, the question that the Bill be read a third time is like any other question and can be spoken to, divided upon or amended.

Last reviewed: 17 July, 2009

Last updated: 22 July, 2009

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