Glossary
This section explains key parliamentary and government terms.
Peer
A member of the House of Lords.
Petition
A formal request asking Parliament or one of its Houses to take action or consider an issue.
Petitioner
A person or body that submits a petition to Parliament.
Ping-pong
The stage when a bill moves between the Commons and Lords as they try to agree on amendments.
Prayer Motion
A motion used to seek the annulment of a statutory instrument laid under the negative procedure.
Pre-legislative Scrutiny
The examination of a draft bill before it is formally introduced into Parliament.
Private Member’s Bill
A bill introduced by an MP or peer who is not acting on behalf of the government.
Programme Motion
A motion that sets the timetable for a bill’s progress through the House of Commons.
Public Bill Committee
A Commons committee that examines most bills in detail after Second Reading.