Commons committee stages taken in committee of the whole House

Committee stage is where a bill is considered in detail and is normally the next stage after a bill's second reading. Since 2006 to 2007, most bills in the House of Commons are considered by a public bill committee, made up of a small group of MPs. Public bill committees can take evidence from the public. Prior to 2006 to 2007, bills would be considered in a standing committee.

A committee of the whole House is sometimes used instead of a public bill committee for some or all of a bill's committee stage. It takes place in the Chamber of the House of Commons and allows all MPs to take part in the debate and to vote on the bill's contents.  A committee of the whole House considers a bill in the same way as a public bill committee but doesn’t take evidence.

Consideration by a committee of the whole House usually happens if the government needs to pass a bill quickly or if it’s of constitutional importance. Sometimes bills are considered partly by a public bill committee and partly by a committee of the whole House. This usually happens with Finance Bills. In rare cases, a select committee may review a bill before it proceeds to a committee of the whole House.

Before the committee of the whole House meets, the Speaker leaves the Chair and a Deputy Speaker or a member of the Panel of Chairs takes over. The ceremonial Mace is removed from its place on the table in front of the Speaker’s chair. Once this has happened the House is in Committee and the debate on the amendments and clauses begins. Somewhat unusually, members may speak more than once on the same question. Amendments usually require prior notice, although the Chair may allow exceptions. Once the committee has completed its scrutiny, the bill, together with any agreed amendments, is reported back to the House for the next stage of its progress.

The downloadable Excel file lists bills since the 1997 to 1998 session considered in the House of Commons by a committee of the whole House. Details include the type of bill, the number of days of consideration and whether the bill was also considered partly by a public bill committee (or standing committee, prior to the 2006 to 2007 session). Finance Bills, Consolidation Bills and Consolidated Fund Bills are not included. Source details are available in the Excel file.

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