- The Government's Same Sex Marriage Bill is currently at committee stage in the House of Commons. This is where a committee of MPs hears evidence and consider the details of the Bill.
- This is expected to be complete by 12th March, ready for the report stage. This will be followed by a third reading in the Commons.
- The Bill will then go to the House of Lords where it will be further debated and amended.
- After this, the amended Bill will be sent back to the Commons for it to consider the Lords' amendments. It may ping pong back between the Commons and the Lords until both Houses agree to its terms.
- The Government may eventually wish to use the Parliament Act to force the Bill through, although this is only considered appropriate where there is some form of electoral mandate – e.g. when the proposals were part of a manifesto commitment. There is no such mandate for this Bill.
For more information on the passage of a Bill through Parliament click here >
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