The last page of the bill is the backsheet, which repeats the long and short titles, gives the bill number and the session it was introduced, and lists the MP introducing the bill (the вЂmember in chargeвЂ™) and his or her вЂsupportersвЂ™. Typical back page of a Bill: The Local Audit and Accountability Bill passed by Parliament in January 2014 Any provisions that would cost public money (other than routine administration by the government department concerned), or that would impose taxes or levy a charge, are printed in italics in bills introduced in the Commons, although sometimes a single вЂsinkвЂ™ clause will cover all the expenditure implied by the bill.

A schedule is always dependent on the clause that introduces it and has no effect unless the clause is agreed to. To reduce complexity, the schedules to a bill fill in some of the fine detail (for example, one of the schedules will usually list amendments and repeals affecting existing legislation). When a bill becomes an Act, the clauses become known as sections. This particular bill contained 47 clauses, but a long bill may contain 100 to 500 clauses or more and be divided up into several parts (which, in turn, may be divided into chapters). This is followed by the words of enactment: вЂBe it enacted by the QueenвЂ™s Most Excellent MajestyвЂ™.Д¬lauses are the basic units of a bill they are divided into subsections., paragraphs and sub-paragraphs. At the start of the bill is the long title, which sets out the contents of the bill all the provisions of the bill must fall within the long title. After the cover page will be a list of contents, if the bill is long enough to need one. Also on the cover page of the bill will be a statement by the relevant minister as to whether the provisions of the bill are compatible with the European Convention on Human Rights. The stages in the passing of a public billД®very bill has a short title, which is the title by which it is known during its passage and which will normally be the same as the title of the Act that will result. Usually at least three sitting days after the end of Report Stage.

Passing: the final opportunity for peers to comment and vote on Bill.

Unlike in the Commons, amendments can be made provided the issue has not been voted on at an earlier stage.

Usually starts at least 14 days after the end of Committee Stage. Usually starts at least 14 days after Second Reading, often taking place over several days.

(ii) no timetabling and debate of amendments is unrestricted.

(i) no selection of amendments - all can be considered, and.

Bills usually go to a Committee of the Whole House or Grand Committee away from the Chamber and rarely to other types of committee.

Two weekends must elapse after First Reading.

Government Bills included in the election manifesto are, by convention, not opposed at their Second Reading, but 'reasoned amendments' may be tabled as a means of indicating dissent and can be voted on.

Debate on general principles of the Bill.

No significant delay in the transfer of a Bill between the two Houses.

? The Bill is reprinted in the form finally agreed by the Commons.

Usually immediately after Report Stage on the same day.

A vote gives chance to show dissatisfaction with amended Bill.

Final chance to debate the Bill, as amended at previous stages.

A further chance to consider amendments, new clauses and for MPs, not on the Committee, to propose changes.

Usually starts shortly after Second Reading and can take anything from one meeting to two per week for some months.

(iii) Select Committee - infrequently used.

One or two days of oral evidence in select committee mode is followed by more formal debate on amendments as the committee goes through the bill 'line-by-line'.

(ii) Public Bill Committee - most usual procedure 16-50 Members, in proportion to overall party strengths.

(i) Committee of the whole House - for 'constitutional' and some other bills, and parts of the Finance Bill.

All Bills go to one of three Committee types:

Complete anatomy billing