A Bill may be introduced to the Commons for the first time, or it may arrive from the Lords having completed its passage through the Upper House.
The introduction (also known as the presentation or bringing in) of a Bill in the House of Commons takes the form of its formal First Reading. The introduction of Bills always takes place at the start of Public Business.
There is no debate at this stage. In most cases, at the start of Public Business the person introducing the Bill (Member in Charge) gives a piece of paper with the short and long titles of the Bill and the names of MPs backing the proposal to the Clerk at the Table in front of the Speaker’s chair.
The Clerk reads out the name of the Bill, which is its First Reading.
