Super-Friday

This Friday is Super-Friday for Private Members’ Bills – probably the last opportunity this session for a Bill brought forward by a Backbencher to make it through to become law.

There are 64 Bills queuing up for debate. They are listed for debate in the order below and a Bill is unlikely to become law without a debate, although it is not impossible. There is a real head of steam behind the first Bill, Rebecca Harris’s brave attempt to change the time. Her Bill would put the clock forward to give an extra hour of daylight in the afternoon. I have had letters from teachers and sports’ coaches welcoming this as encouraging out-of-school clubs and sports’ training. The last time this came up, there was quite some opposition locally and concern about Scotland, but this time there has been a strong postbag in favour. I intend to support Rebecca.

The second Bill, the Live Music Bill seeks to enable unamplified music to be played anywhere between 8am and 11pm without a licence, ending the situation where the playing of a piano in a street could be subject to fines. Where there are up to 200 people present in a pub or restaurant, or in workplaces such as a hospital or school, live music can also be performed between 8am and 11pm without a licence under the Bill.

The Live Music Bill has therefore been prepared as a modest way to tidy up the problems created by Labour’s 2003 Act to provide for a licensing regime that will enable small venues to develop bands, discover new talent and act as beacons for local music scenes. I suspect these two Bills will become law, but Bills further down the list are much less likely.

ORDER
1
DAYLIGHT SAVING BILL: As amended in the Public Bill Committee, to be considered.

Member in charge: Rebecca Harris

For Amendments, see pages 3975-76 of Supplement to Votes.

2
LIVE MUSIC BILL [LORDS]: As amended in the Public Bill Committee, to be considered.

Member in charge: Don Foster

3
LOCAL GOVERNMENT OMBUDSMAN (AMENDMENT) BILL (CHANGED TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT (REVIEW OF DECISIONS BILL)): As amended in the Public Bill Committee, to be considered.

Member in charge: Mr Christopher Chope

4
TRANSPARENT TAXATION (RECEIPTS) BILL: Second Reading.

Member in charge: Mr Peter Bone

5
FIREARMS (AMENDMENT) BILL: Second Reading.

Member in charge: Thomas Docherty

6
FACE COVERINGS (REGULATIONS) BILL: Second Reading.

Member in charge: Mr Philip Hollobone

7
EPILEPSY AND RELATED CONDITIONS (EDUCATION AND HEALTH SERVICES) BILL: Second Reading.

Member in charge: Valerie Vaz

8
SEX EDUCATION (REQUIRED CONTENT) BILL: Second Reading.

Member in charge: Nadine Dorries

9
DOG CONTROL AND WELFARE BILL: Second Reading.

Member in charge: Andrew Rosindell

10
LOCAL REFERENDUMS BILL: Second Reading.

Member in charge: Zac Goldsmith

11
RECALL OF ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES BILL: Second Reading.

Member in charge: Zac Goldsmith