ABSTRACT
The timing and place of introduction is decided either by the Cabinet on the recommendation of the Committee on Legislation and House Planning or by the President of the Privy Council usually in consultation with the sponsoring Minister. Notice to the Clerk of the House of Commons is given by the Assistant Secretary to the Cabinet (Legislation and House Planning) only when instructed to do so by the President of the Privy Council usually in consultation with the sponsoring Minister. The Assistant Secretary notifies the sponsoring Minister that notice is being given. Where introduction is in the Senate, the timing of introduction is decided by the President of the Privy Council in consultation with the Leader of the Government in the Senate. The Assistant Secretary informs the sponsoring Minister in such cases of the timing of introduction. It is to be noted that, barring unanimous consent of the House, 48 hours’ notice is required before the sponsoring Minister may obtain First Reading in the House of Commons and 24 hours must elapse from First Reading before Second Reading may be moved. Timing of the Second Reading debate, Report Stage and Third Reading is also the responsibility of the President of the Privy Council in consultation with the responsible
The procedure at First Reading of a Government Bill in the House of Commons is as follows. After the 48 hours’ notice requirement has been met, the Speaker will call the title of the Minister when the time for ‘Introduction of Bills’ is reached at the end of the daily Question Period. The Minister then stands, bows to the Speaker and sits down. The Speaker reads the necessary motions, which are not debatable. The Minister does not therefore say anything at this time. If a Minister does not wish to proceed immediately with a Bill that is ready for First Reading when his title is called, he calls out the word ‘Stand’ and the Bill’s introduction is postponed until the next sitting. If a Minister is absent, the President of the Privy Council or another Minister may introduce or stand a Bill, if requested by the sponsoring Minister. When a Bill is to be introduced in the Senate in the first instance, the necessary steps are taken usually by the Leader of the Government in the Senate. Unlike the introduction of Bills in the House of Commons, there is no requirement for notice.
