HOUSE OF LORDS - United Kingdom Parliament

8.170 If the Commons amend the Lords amendments and send the bill
back accordingly, it then becomes the turn of the Lords to agree or
disagree to, or amend, such Commons amendments, and the
communications proceed in the same way as on the original Commons
amendments. At this and subsequent stages related amendments and
reasons are printed together on the marshalled list and may, if
appropriate, be debated and decided together. A set of amendments
treated in this way is referred to as a “package”. Packaging should be
distinguished from the grouping of amendments at earlier stages, whereby
amendments are debated together but may be decided separately. 1
Commons amendments disagreed to
Amendment in lieu of Commons amendment
8.171 The Lords can disagree to a Commons amendment but propose
an amendment in lieu of it. When the bill goes back to the Commons
they can agree to the Lords amendment in lieu, or propose an
amendment to the amendment in lieu, or disagree to the amendment in
lieu with or without proposing an alternative.
8.172 If the Commons amend the Lords amendment in lieu, or propose
an alternative to it, the Lords can agree to or amend the Commons
amendment, propose a new alternative or insist on their original
amendment.
Disagreement to Commons amendment with a reason
8.173 If the Lords disagree to a Commons amendment without
proposing an alternative they have to give a reason for their
disagreement. A “reasons committee”, usually of three members, is
appointed to do this. The committee consists of the proposer of the
disagreement and one of his supporters, together with the Lord in charge
of the bill or, in the case of a government bill, some other minister, if
desired. The committee meets in the Prince’s Chamber immediately after
proceedings on Commons amendments have been concluded and agrees
upon the reason, which is reported to the House by means of an entry in
the Minutes of Proceedings.
1 Procedure 1st Rpt 2004–05.
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