Definitions:
Questions to Ministers The first hour each day except Friday is
devoted to Oral Questions to Ministers. Each Government
Department has a slot once a month.
Ten Minute Rule Bill An opportunity for a backbench MP to "seek
leave" to introduce a Bill in a 10-minute speech. An opponent may
speak against, also for 10 minutes, after which there can be a vote.
Second Reading The first debate on a Bill, at which the House is
asked to give approval to the principles of the Bill. Detailed
consideration in Committee follows. No changes can be made to the
text of the Bill at this stage.
Adjournment Debate A half-hour debate at the end of each day's
sitting, introduced by an individual backbench MP and responded to
by a Government Minister. Often an opportunity to raise a
constituency issue.
General Committee Usually, Public Bill Committees of between 16
and 50 MPs that examine the detail of Bills which have had a
Second Reading. Other General Committees include Grand
Committees, which usually debate an issue, Delegated Legislation
Committees, which debate secondary legislation and European
Standing Committees, which examine EU documents.
Select Committee One of 40 or so cross-party Committees of
backbench MPs appointed to consider particular subjects. The
"Departmental Select Committees" investigate the expenditure,
administration and policy of each Government Department. The
membership is stable across the term of a Parliament.
Report Stage The House considers any amendments (changes to
the Bill) made by a standing committee. Further amendments can
be made to the Bill at this stage. A new version of the Bill
incorporating the changes made during Committee Stage is normally
printed before Report Stage.
Westminster Hall Debate The "parallel Chamber" which sits three
days a week, mostly debating subjects raised by backbenchers, and
Select Committee Reports. "Cross-cutting" sessions of Oral
Questions, on topics which affect several Government Departments,
are also held.
Third Reading The final debate on a Bill as amended in Committee
and at Report stage, before the Bill is sent to the Lords for
consideration (or, in the case of a Lords Bill, for Royal Assent).
Backbench MP A Backbench MP is a Member of Parliament who
holds no official position in government or in his or her party.
Source: House of Commons Information Office - Parliamentary © 2006