On 7 July 2015 an Emergency Debate will be held on the process the Government proposes use to introduce procedures to provide for English votes for English laws.
On 6 July 2015, Alistair Carmichael MP made an application for an Emergency Debate on the process the Government proposes to use to introduce procedures to provide for English votes on English laws, under Standing Order No 24.
The Speaker was satisfied that it was a proper matter to be debated under Standing Order No 24, and the House gave leave for the debate to be held. The Speaker announced that a three hour debate would be held on 7 July 2015.
In the Queen’s Speech on 27 May 2015, the Government announced that it would introduce changes to Standing Orders so that decisions affecting England (or England and Wales) “can be taken only with the consent of the majority of Members of Parliament representing constituencies in those parts of our United Kingdom”.
On 2 July 2015, the Government published its proposals for English votes for English laws. Chris Grayling, the Leader of the House of Commons made a statement to the House; and the Cabinet Office published:
On Wednesday 1 July 2015 a debate titled ‘English Votes for English Laws and North Wales’ was held in Westminster Hall.
You can catch up with the debate by reading the transcript or watching on Parliamentlive.tv
The House of Commons Library produced a debate pack of relevant material in advance of this debate
In answer to a Parliamentary Question the Leader of the House provided information on those bills that only affected parts of the United Kingdom.
James Cusick, “Plans to give English MPs powers on laws and taxation branded ‘racist’ by Labour MP”, Independent, 3 July 2015
Rowena Mason and Libby Brooks, “Labour and SNP attack government’s ‘English votes for English laws’ plan”, Guardian online, 2 July 2015
Steven Swinford, “SNP fury as government announces English votes for English laws”, The Telegraph, 2 July 2015
David Clegg, “EVEL row: SNP threaten UK Government with legal action over attempt to restrict voting rights of Scots MPs”, Daily Record, 6 July 2015 (subscription needed)
“English MPs set to get Evel veto”, Belfast Telegraph, 2 July 2015
An emergency debate is a debate called at short notice in the House of Commons on a matter that should have urgent consideration. An MP may apply to the Speaker for an emergency debate under the rules of Standing Order No. 24.
More detail is provided in the How Parliament works section of the Parliament website
Urgent questions are a category of oral questions that allow all MPs not in the government to put a question to a minister without the usual notice required for oral question time and without the need to be drawn in a ballot.
This briefing describes the stages a bill goes through when it is introduced to the House of Commons as a private member's bill.
A briefing paper which "maps" (or summarises) the main elements of the United Kingdom's uncodified constitution.
