HOUSE OF LORDS - United Kingdom Parliament

of the bill, the reasons for the need to proceed during the current
session, and the reasons why it was impracticable to deposit the bill by
27 November.
9.13 The Chairmen consider:
(a) whether the explanation justifies the delay in depositing the bill; and
(b) whether the proposals are so urgent that postponement of the bill to
the following November would be contrary to the public interest.
9.14 If the Chairmen are satisfied on these points, or if they consider
that the public interest so requires, the appropriate Chairman gives leave
for the petition and the bill to be deposited in the House in which they
decide the bill is to originate. 1
9.15 After the petition together with the proposed bill has been
presented to the House, it is referred to the Examiners. The Examiners
certify to both Houses non-compliance with standing orders. The
Certificate is referred to the Standing Orders Committee of each House.
If both committees report that the standing orders ought to be dispensed
with, the bill is presented and read a first time.
9.16 The bill, as presented, should not contain any non-urgent
provisions nor any other than those outlined in the original statement of
the promoters in support of their application.
Lords bills: introduction and first reading
9.17 The allocation of private bills between the two Houses is
determined between the two Chairmen or, more usually, their Counsel,
on or before 8 January. 2 The private bills proposed to be introduced are
divided as equally as possible between the two Houses with a view to
general convenience. Where a bill has been rejected previously in one
House, a subsequent bill with similar objects normally originates in that
House. Personal bills and consolidation bills usually originate in the Lords.
9.18 It is usual, before any allocation is made, for Counsel to the two
Chairmen to invite representations from each promoter.
9.19 First reading is “formal”, that is to say, by way of an entry in the
Minutes of Proceedings. No proceedings take place in the House itself. In
1 PBSO 97.
2 PBSO 90.
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