Draft Bills are discussed in the Parliament before being formally introduced in the Parliament. During this time, proposed changes are made in the Bills, if required. Almost all draft Bills are Government Bills. The Government Departments produce Draft Bills and send them to interested parties.
Purpose of Draft Bills
Draft Bills have become more important in the last few years. It helps in examining and amending the Bill, of required, before it is finally introduced in the Parliament as a Formal Bill.
The Role of The Parliament in Draft Bills
Most of the drafts are examined either by Select Committees either in the House of Commons or in the House of Lords. Sometimes however, the drafts are examined by a Joint Committee of the House of Lords and the House of Commons. Draft Bills that are considered by the Parliament are available in the website.
The Draft Bills and the Government
During the consultation period, the Government might issue a paper for public discussion and response. The most valid examples of these are the white and green papers. Green papers usually put forward ideas for future Government policy. White Papers generally state more definite intentions foe governmental policies.
