TNAG-1381-FCO40-1829-Future-of-Hong-Kong-nationality-and-citizenship-1985 — Page 213

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REPORT STAGE AND IT PROCEEDS DIRECTLY TO THE THIRD READING.

E) THIRD READING.

THIS IS USUALLY TAKEN IMMEDIATELY AFTER REPORT.

HOUSE OF LORDS.

F) FIRST READING (INTRODUCTION).

G) SECOND READING.

A MINIMUM OF TWO WEEKENDS IS USUALLY OBSERVED BETWEEN THE

FIRST READING AND THE DEBATE ON THE SECOND READING.

H) COMMITTEE STAGE.

THERE IS USUALLY A MINIMUM OF 14 CALENDAR DAYS BETWEEN THE

SECOND READING AND THE START OF THE COMMITTEE STAGE.

I) REPORT STAGE.

IT IS COMMON FOR THERE TO BE AN INTERVAL BETWEEN THE

COMMITTEE AND REPORT STAGES OF ONE WEEK, IF THE BILL IS NOT

EXPECTED TO BE CONTENTIOUS. HOWEVER, IF THE BILL IS

UNAMENDED IN COMMITTEE AND NO POINTS ARE LEFT FOR FURTHER

DISCUSSION IN THE REPORT, THE REPORT CAN, WITH THE AGREEMEN

OF THE HOUSE, BE RECEIVED IMMEDIATELY AFTER COMMITTEE.

J) THIRD READING IN THE HOUSE OF LORDS.

A MINIMUM OF THREE SITTING DAYS IS OBSERVED BETWEEN THE END

OF THE REPORT STAGE AND THE THIRD READING.

K) IF THE HOUSE OF LORDS AMENDS THE BILL, THEN IT IS

REFERRED BACK TO THE HOUSE OF COMMONS FOR FURTHER

CONSIDERATION.

L) ROYAL ASSENT IS SECURED.

THE CONVENTIONS RELATING TO THE INTERVAL BETWEEN EACH

SUCCESSIVE STEP ARE NO MORE THAN THAT, AND CAN BE WAIVED IN CASES

OF URGENCY.

4. YOU MAY ASSURE EXCO THAT MINISTERS ARE FULLY SEIZED OF THE

NEED TO PROCEED RAPIDLY WITH THE HONG KONG BILL. OUR

EXPECTATION, AT OFFICIAL LEVEL, IS THAT IT WILL BE INTRODUCED AND

GIVEN ITS FIRST READING SOON AFTER PARLIAMENT REASSEMBLES ON

9 JANUARY. THEREAFTER THE SECOND READING COULD

FOLLOW, AFTER THE USUAL INTERVAL OF TWO WEEKENDS TOWARDS THE END

OF JANUARY. BUT EXACT TIMINGS WILL DEPEND ON THE DECISIONS OF

PARLIAMENTARY MANAGERS, IN THE LIGHT OF SUCH MATTERS AS

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