Public Bills that are introduced by the MPs and the Lords, who are not Government Ministers are called Private Members’ Bills.The main purpose of Public Bills is to change the Law because it is applicable to the general public. A Private Members’ Bill may affect the legislation indirectly by creating publicity regarding the issue.
Introducing Private Members’ Bills
Private Members’ Bill can also be initiated in either the House of Commons or the House of Lords. These Bills do not pass through all the stages in both the Houses of the Parliament because a lot of time is not allotted to them. A Private Members’ Bill must contain a short title and a long title. Certain Private Members’ Bills are never published in full and complete texts are not always necessary. There are three ways of introducing Private members’ Bills in the Parliament:
The Ballot: Ballot Bills are amongst the most important amongst the Bills because they get the propriety to become Bills because of the limited amount of debating time available to them. The names of the Members applying for a Bill are drawn from a ballot at random at the beginning of the Parliamentary year. It is usual that the first seven Bills get the priority for a particular day.
Ten Minute Rule
It is an opportunity given to the members to voice subjects of existing legislation, rather than an attempt to get a Bill passed. The Members put forward their opinion regarding a particular manner. Another member might oppose the same, but in a very short time. A Member may raise an issue only to gauge the opinion of others regarding the issue.
Presentation
A notice has to be served upon the House before initiating a Bill in either House of the Parliament. When the Members initiate a Bill in either House of the Parliament but do not speak in its favour, then it rarely becomes a Law.
Private Members’ Bill in the House of Lords
A Private Members’ Bill has to pass through all the stages that a normal Public Bill has to. The discussion on the Bill begins if only 1 MP supports the same. The Bills introduced or initiated in the House of Commons always get a priority over the Bills introduced or initiated in the House of Lords. Very little time is devoted to the Bills that are introduced in the House of Lords.
Opposition against a Private Members’ Bill
Private members’ Bills can be opposed by members of the public by::
Writing to the MP or Lord
Writing to the concerned department of the government who is responsible for the same
