How are laws made?

While a proposed new law is going through Parliament, before it becomes a law, it is called a Bill. The Bill has to be properly written out/drafted, explaining carefully how and when the new law is going to be used.

Stages in making a law:

1.       FIRST READING: The Bill is drafted for MPs to read through. In this first stage, there is no discussion or vote.

2.       SECOND READING: A government minister explains the purpose of the Bill and answers questions about it. A vote will take place after this Reading. Only if enough MPs vote for the Bill can it continue through the stages.

3.       COMMITTEE STAGE: A small committee of selected MP’s (16-60) looks at the details of the Bill…