What does Royal Assent mean? How did it get there? Why does it take so long?
The timetable of a bill looks like this:
The House of Commons or House of Lords, is usually the starting point (those relating to financial start in the Commons).
Each new bill passes through the following stages:
Pre-legislative Scrutiny: Joint committee of both House of Commons and House of Lords review the Bill and vote on amendments that government can accept or reject.
First reading: The bill is presented, printed, and in private members' bills. There is no vote at this stage which happens at a Second Reading.
Second reading: A debate on the general principles of the bill is followed by a vote.
Committee stage: A committee considers each clause of the bill, and may make amendments.
Report stage: An opportunity to amend the bill. The House considers clauses to which amendments have been tabled.
Third reading: A debate on final text as amended.
Passage: The bill is then sent to the other House which may amend it and they go through the same process as above, First reading, Second reading, Committee stage, Report stage, Third reading (if in the Lords further amendments may also be made), Passage (The bill is returned to the original House).
Back to Pre-legislative scrutiny to consider all amendments.
Finally, Royal Assent for the bill is requested and once granted, the bill becomes an Act.
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