HOUSE OF LORDS - United Kingdom Parliament

should not be confused with private members’ bills, which are public bills
(see paragraph 8.29). Each private bill starts with a petition to Parliament
from the promoter for leave to bring in a bill. 1 The petition, with a copy
of the proposed bill annexed to it, is deposited on or before
27 November in the House of Commons 2 and a copy of the proposed
bill is deposited in the office of the Clerk of the Parliaments.
9.04 The government cannot promote a private bill. When a government
department wants to promote a bill which would, if promoted by another
person or body, be a private bill the bill is introduced as a public bill and is
subsequently treated as a hybrid bill (see paragraph 8.213).
9.05 Where a bill deals exclusively with the personal affairs of an
individual it may be certified by the Chairman of Committees and the
Chairman of Ways and Means in the Commons (“the two Chairmen” or
“the Chairmen”) as a “personal bill”, though such bills are rare. Personal
bills can be presented at any time during the session.
9.06 Scottish private legislation on matters not wholly within the
legislative competence of the Scottish Parliament (other than personal
bills) is governed by a statutory procedure contained in the Private
Legislation Procedure (Scotland) Act 1936 (see paragraph 9.66).
Examination for compliance with standing orders
9.07 Each House normally appoints an Examiner of Petitions for Private
Bills. 3 The Clerk of Public and Private Bills in the Lords and the Clerk of Bills in
the Commons customarily hold these offices, and each Examiner may act on
behalf of either House. On occasion both Examiners may sit to examine a
particular bill. In the Lords, appointments are made by the House, and in the
Commons by the Speaker. Beginning on 18 December, each petition for a
bill is examined by one of the Examiners, who certifies whether the standing
orders applicable contained in the Private Business Standing Orders and
similar standing orders of the House of Commons have been complied
1
PBSO 2. In this chapter any reference to standing orders is, unless otherwise stated, a
reference to the standing orders relating to private business and the abbreviation PBSO is
used.
2 PBSO 38.
3 PBSO 69.
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