Appendix 2 (Gender Recognition Bill [HL])Anticipated Parliamentary Timetable The Gender Recognition Bill was introduced in the House of Lords on 27th November 2003. The Bill covers Scotland and Northern Ireland as well as England and Wales. The Scottish parts of the bill are a mixture of reserved and devolved matters. The Bill is expected to start its passage through Parliament commencing in the House of Lords, with the second reading debate – effectively debate on the general principles of the bill – possibly coming in two weeks time. Amendments will then be considered by the Lords, and the Bill will finish its passage through the Lords, perhaps as soon as the end of January. It will then move to the House of Commons to undergo a similar process. The Scottish Parliament will debate separately whether it accords with the principles of the Scottish devolved parts of the Bill, and whether it agrees to that devolved legislation being achieved by means of a Westminster bill. This is called a 'Sewel motion debate'. That debate may take place just before Christmas, or possibly in January. The Gender Recognition Bill can be found
on the following web site: Explanatory notes for the bill can be found
at: |