Parliament

Private Members' Bills

The main method of passing legislation is in the form of Bills introduced by the Government.  There are, however, a number of procedures whereby backbench (or Private members) may initiate Bills and ultimately pass legislation.  In each new session of Parliament, there is a ballot for 20 Private Members' Bills and they are given priority in the order in which they are drawn.

Since I became Member of Parliament for Bournemouth West, I have successfully piloted four Private Members' Bills into legislation:-

• Registered Homes (Amendment) Act 1991.
• Insolvency (Amendment) Act 1994
• Policy Holders Protection Act 1997
• Building  Societies (Funding) & Mutual Societies (Transfers) Act 2008

The Registered Homes (Amendment) Act 1991

This brought small care homes within the scope of Government and Local Authority regulation.  Previously, smaller homes were virtually unregulated and, in some cases, there was serious abuse of their elderly residents.

The Insolvency (Amendment) Act 1994

This gave greater protection from a claim by a Trustee in bankruptcy against purchasers.  Previously people buying a property could have it taken from them by a Trustee in bankruptcy if the vendor went bankrupt within 5 years of selling it and if one of the owners (usually the wife) had not contributed a full share of the value of the original purchase. 

Policy Holders Protection Act 1997

This gave greater protection to the holders of insurance policies in the unfortunate event of their insurance company going bust.

 

 

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