Bribery Bill Reaches Half Way Stage

THE LEGISLATIVE TRAIL TO THE HOUSE OF COMMONS

In order to become law the Bribery Bill ("Bill") has to be debated and approved by both the House of Commons and the House of Lords. The House of Lords has completed its assessment of the Bill with a series of debates and the Bill has been passed to the House of Commons with very few amendments being made.

• 19 November 2009: introductory First Reading in the House of Lords. This reading was a formality and there was no debate.
• 9 December 2009: Second Reading. This was the first opportunity for the Members of the Lords to debate and vote on the main principles and purpose of the Bill. During that debate it became apparent that the Bill has widespread cross-party support with Lord Williamson being moved to say that it is unusual to have a second reading that "approximates to a lovefest...".