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Session 1996-7 Publications on the internet Weekly Information Bulletin |
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Weekly Information Bulletin: 26 October 1996
Authoritative publications on the procedure of the House of Commons include: ERSKINE MAY'S TREATISE ON THE LAW, PRIVILEGES, PROCEEDINGS AND USAGE OF PARLIAMENT, 21st ed, Butterworth's, 1989. (Usually referred to as ERSKINE MAY'S PARLIAMENTARY PRACTICE.) MANUAL OF PROCEDURE IN THE PUBLIC BUSINESS. 14th ed ISBN (0108506223) HMSO 1987 PARLIAMENT, ISBN (0117016314) £6 HMSO 1991 THE HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT, ISBN (0117015792) £4.95 HMSO 1994 GLOSSARY ADJOURNMENT DEBATE (COMMONS) - Usually a half-hour debate introduced by a backbencher at the end of business for the day. The subjects raised are often local or personal issues ALLOCATION OF TIME MOTION (GUILLOTINE) - A means by which time for one or more stages of a bill is restricted; and the question is put on outstanding business, notwithstanding the fact that Members may still wish to speak on that business COMMENCEMENT ORDERS - Statutory Instruments by which HM Government brings into force part or the whole of an Act. These appear in the HMSO Daily List CONSOLIDATED FUND BILL - A bill to authorise issue of sums to maintain Government Service. In the Commons, the second and third readings are taken without debate. CONSOLIDATION BILL - A bill which seeks to draw together several previous enactments on a subject. A Joint Committee of both Houses reports on all such Bills, upon Statute Law Revision Bills, and those presented under the Consolidation of Enactments (Procedure) Act 1949. (In the list of Public Bills in this Bulletin the latter two categories are included as Consolidation Bills). GENERAL SYNOD MEASURE - A measure passed by the General Synod of the Church of England under the Church of England Assembly (Powers) Act 1919. These measures, once considered by the Ecclesiastical Committee, and a report having been made by it are considered by both Houses, and if approved, sent for the Royal Assent. These are noted at the end of the Public Bill list. OPPOSITION DAYS (COMMONS) - Twenty days are allotted in each session for proceedings on Opposition business, of which seventeen are at the disposal of the Leader of the Opposition, and three are at the disposal of the Leader of the second largest Opposition party PRIVATE BILL - A bill promoted by a body or an individual to give powers additional to, or in conflict with, the general law, and to which a separate procedure applies PRIVATE MEMBER'S BILL - A public bill promoted by a Member or Peer who is not a member of HM Government PRIVATE NOTICE QUESTION - A question adjudged of urgent importance on submission to The Speaker, answered at the end of oral questions - usually at 3.30 pm. STANDING ORDER - An order made by the House (Commons or Lords) for the regulation of its proceedings, which lasts beyond the end of the Session in which it is made. STANDING ORDERS OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS - A parliamentary paper published by HMSO SO (STANDING ORDER) NO 20 APPLICATION (COMMONS) - A means whereby a Member may attempt to initiate an emergency debate, by interrupting business to discuss a specific and important matter that should have urgent consideration. Notice is given to The Speaker, who decides whether the matter is grave and urgent enough to put a motion to the House to give it precedence. If the House gives leave, the business is discussed, usually on the following day. TEN MINUTE RULE BILL (COMMONS) - A colloquial term for Standing Order No 19, under which backbenchers have an opportunity on Tuesdays and Wednesdays to introduce a bill and speak in its favour for about 10 minutes. Time is also available for a short opposing speech UNSTARRED QUESTION (LORDS) - A question which may give rise to debate, taken at the end of business for the day TOURS OF THE HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT The Public Information Office is often asked how visitors may tour the Palace of Westminster (Houses of Parliament). This note is intended as guidance. 1. United Kingdom residents People who are resident in this country should get in touch with their local Member of Parliament (the Public Information Office can advise who this is if there is doubt), who can usually arrange for them to take a tour. They should apply as far in advance as possible; moreover, tours may only be undertaken when the House is not sitting (this usually means Monday, Tuesday, Thursday mornings, and Friday afternoon after 3.30 pm; times vary during recesses) and visitors should be prepared to be flexible about their arrangements. Wednesday mornings are also available, but the tour is confined to Lords end of the building. The address for contacting MPs is:
2. Overseas Visitors Visitors from overseas can obtain a permit to tour the Houses of Parliament by applying to the Public Information Office. When the House of Commons is sitting, the Public Information Office can issue a permit which will enable a party of up to 16 in number to tour the Palace of Westminster between 3.30 - 5.30 pm on a Friday afternoon, provided the House has concluded its business for the week. Only Members of Parliament may issue permits for other sitting days. During recesses, the days and timing of tours may vary, but as a rule, they take place in the morning from 9.30 am - 12 noon on the following days: a) Christmas Recess - after the New Year Holiday only - all weekdays b) Easter Recess - all weekdays c) Spring Bank Holiday Recess - all weekdays d) Summer Recess
THE HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT ARE CLOSED AT WEEKENDS, ON BANK HOLIDAYS AND BETWEEN THE RISE OF THE HOUSE FOR CHRISTMAS AND THE NEW YEAR. At any time, should either House sit unexpectedly, whether during a recess, or beyond the usual hour of adjournment on a Friday, tours may have to be cancelled, possibly without notice. Overseas visitors should apply in writing to the Public Information Office at the address given below, giving as much notice as possible and if appropriate providing an address in this country where they may be contacted, in addition to their home address. They should also where possible give a range of dates when they would be able to come, and state the number of persons in their party (the maximum permitted is 16). Parties do not require a guide, but should they wish to employ one, the Public Information Office can provide details of a contact who can arrange a guide at a cost of about £25 per group of 16 (the Public Information Office cannot be responsible for the booking of, or paying for guides). PLEASE NOTE THAT EMBASSIES AND HIGH COMMISSIONS HAVE NO MEANS OF ARRANGING TOURS 3. Educational institutions Schools or other educational institutions based in this country should normally contact their local MP to arrange a tour of the Houses of Parliament. However, the Education Unit of the Public Information Office arranges a series of educational visits suitable for older schoolchildren or adult education students. These take place in the autumn but because of the considerable amount of administration involved, the programme is usually advertised in the Times Educational Supplement in March, and teachers and others wishing to participate are advised to contact the Education Unit early. For all other educational visits, organisers should write to their local MP as in 1 above. Parties from overseas educational institutions may also apply to the Education Unit, who may be able to arrange for a permit to tour in accordance with the usual restrictions (see 2 above) which apply to permits for any overseas visitor. A maximum of two permits (32 people) may be issued to overseas student groups. An information leaflet, Educational Visits to Parliament, is available from the Education Unit on request. 4. Visits to the Strangers' Gallery There is a separate leaflet giving details of how to gain access to the Strangers' Gallery in order to attend a debate in the House of Commons.
LIST OF PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE FACTSHEETS Last updated:
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| © Parliamentary copyright 1996 | Prepared 23 October 1996 |