Committee of the Whole House

The committee stage is when detailed examination of the Bill's passage through Parliament takes place. In the Commons, the committee stage of a Bill is usually heard in a Public Bill committee. However, a Bill may be examined in a Committee of the Whole House. This means all MPs can attend.

In the Lords, the committee stage of a Bill is usually heard in a Committee of the Whole House. As with the Commons, all Members of the Lords can attend a Committee of the Whole House.

Committee of the Whole House: House of Commons

The whole House may consider certain Bills at committee stage. Bills that have their committee stage on the floor of the House generally fall into one of the following categories:

• Bills of major constitutional importance (for example those concerned with setting up the Scottish Parliament and the Welsh and Northern Ireland Assemblies)

• Bills which the Government needs to pass with unusual speed

• Bills which are not controversial

In some cases parts of a Bill may be examined in a Committee of the Whole House, while the rest is examined in a Public Bill committee. This is the usual practice for the Finance Bill which implements the Budget.

Committee of the Whole House: House of Lords

In the House of Lords, the committee stage of a Bill usually goes to a Committee of the Whole House in the Lords Chamber.

The committee stage of a Bill can also go to a Grand Committee away from the Chamber. Bills in the Lords rarely go to other types of committee.