The Minister of the sponsoring ministry will briefly introduce the bill in the legislature. There is no debate. Sometimes the bill is sent to committee for study at this stage. The first reading version of the bill contains explanatory notes about each section of the legislation. These notes do not appear in later versions of the legislation.
Law libraries receive first reading bills in print form.
Second reading During second reading, the sponsoring Minister explains the purpose of the bill, and debate takes place on the main principles of the bill. Speeches in the legislature by the Minister responsible for the legislation can be important in determining the intention behind the legislation. The proceedings of the legislature and of legislative committees are recorded in Hansard . After the bill has passed second reading, it is sent to committee for detailed consideration on a clause by clause basis. This can be a standing legislative committee, or a Committee of the Whole House.