House of Lords recalled on Saturday 12 April

Debate

The House of Lords met at noon and first debated a motion on 'legislative proposals to ensure the continued operation of the British steel industry, in light of the Steel Industry (Special Measures) Bill'. This took place while the bill was under consideration by the House of Commons.

The motion for the debate was put forward by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and the Department for Business and Trade.

• Catch up on Parliament TV and YouTube
• Read a transcript in Lords Hansard.

Passage of the bill

First and second reading

Following the debate, the Steel Industry (Special Measures) Bill was introduced in the Lords at first reading. Second reading then followed before the House paused for tabling of amendments ahead of committee stage.

• Catch up on Parliament TV
• Read a transcript in Lords Hansard.

Committee stage

Committee stage, where members go through the bill and discuss proposed changes, took place from 4.45pm. Amendments were on topics including sunset clauses and powers in the bill. After debating the proposed changes, members withdrew their amendments following responses from the minister. The bill then progressed through its final stages in the Lords.

• Read full list of amendments
• Catch up on Parliament TV
• Read a transcript in Lords Hansard from three hours after the debate.

Royal Assent

Once both Houses of Parliament agreed on the text of the bill, it then received Royal Assent, where it became an Act of Parliament.

About recalls of the House of Lords

When the Lords is not sitting, the Lord Speaker has the power to recall the House following consultation with the government. The House of Lords is usually recalled at the same time as the House of Commons.

The last time the House of Lords was recalled was on 18 August 2021 to debate the situation in Afghanistan.

• Find out more about recalls of Parliament.