Private Members’ Bills

Abstract In this chapter we examine private members’ bills in the House of Lords in the 1988-9 session, both those originally introduced in the Lords and those passed by the Commons and sent to the Lords. Table 6.1 suggests that the session was not entirely typical as regards the number of Commons private members’ bills reaching the Lords. The session seems to have been more or less typical of recent sessions as regards the number, content, and ultimate fate of private members’ bills introduced in the Lords. As Table 6.2 illustrates, the number of such bills introduced has been dropping sharply, and with it the number-although not the proportion-subsequently receiving royal assent. Within this decline, the most significant element is the substantial reduction over the past decade in the number of Lords private members’ bills defeated on second reading in the Lords, withdrawn, or not proceeded with.