A first reading is the first formal stage of a bill’s journey through parliament. This tends to be a purely procedural step where the short title (name) of a bill is read out in the chamber, signifying that it has been formally introduced to the House.

No debate or vote takes place at this stage for most bills. Instead, first reading marks the bill’s official arrival before the House. It precipitates the publication of the bill’s text, ensuring the contents of the proposed law are available to all, including fellow parliamentarians, allowing scrutiny to begin.

Immediately after the bill’s title is read out, a date is named for its second reading. This is the next stage in the legislative process and represents the first opportunity for MPs to debate the main principles of the bill.

During the first reading, a list of up to 11 supporters can also be provided, but is not necessary. This is particularly useful for private members’ bills (PMBs), to indicate cross-party support and showcase any influential support from across the House.

How bills are introduced for first reading

A bill can have its first reading in the House of Commons in one of three main ways.

Presentation bill (standard procedure)

The most common method, used for all government bills and most private members’ bills, is a simple formality. At the designated time, the speaker will say “Presentation of bill” and the name of the minister or backbench MP, who must stand on the speaker’s right-hand side.

The sponsoring member will then hand the bill to the clerk of the House, who proceeds to read out its short title. The bill is presented in “dummy form”, containing only the short title, the long title (a description of what the bill seeks to do) and the names of the backers.

The speaker then asks, “Second reading, what day?”, and the sponsoring member names a future date. The bill is then considered to have been read a first time. There is no vote and the bill cannot be discussed or amended in any way.

Bills are presented after oral questions and any urgent questions or ministerial statements on Monday to Thursday, or at the start of the day on Friday.

10-minute rule bill

Another method is the 10-minute rule procedure, used by backbench MPs to introduce a private members’ bill.

Under procedure, the sponsoring MP is given 10 minutes to make a speech outlining the purpose of their proposed bill. An opposing MP may then use 10 minutes to speak against it, although this is something of a rarity.

The speaker subsequently puts the question as to whether the House gives the MP permission to bring in the bill. Once more, this is rarely contested; and if the motion is passed, the bill formally receives its first reading.

This mechanism provides an opportunity for an MP to make the case for legislative change. To apply, an MP must gain a slot from the Public Bill Office, but these are extremely sought after. Some MPs have reportedly slept outside the office to ensure that they are first in the queue.

So-called 10-minute rule bills are usually scheduled immediately after oral questions on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. They rarely become law, but this procedure provides a means by which an MP can raise an issue. Between 1945 and 2010, just over 60 acts of parliament originated as 10-minute rule bills.

Bills from the House of Lords

When a bill originates in the House of Lords and completes all of its stages there, it is then sent to the House of Commons for consideration. Its arrival is formally announced in the commons chamber, which constitutes its first reading. An MP then becomes the bill’s sponsor to take it through its commons stages.

How bills are introduced in the House of Lords

In the House of Lords, the member in charge of the bill is called by the lord speaker or a deputy, normally after oral questions.

The member then introduces the bill by saying: “My Lords, I beg to introduce a bill to [long title of bill]. I beg to move that this bill be now read a first time.”

The motion is then agreed without debate.

What happens after first reading?

Once a bill has had its first reading, its text is published along with any explanatory notes prepared by the relevant government department.

The bill then awaits its second reading on the date that was named in the chamber. It is placed after any bills already listed on the order paper for that day. This often means that the chances of it being debated are small.

The bill must be printed in full in time for its second reading. Government bills are usually published immediately after first reading, often accompanied by explanatory notes.

Second reading is the first substantive stage where the main principles, purpose and scope of the bill are debated by the whole House.

Ahead of second reading, the House of Commons Library may contact the bill team for background information as they prepare a research paper on the bill, which is published before the second reading to help inform the debate.