The Divorce Bill will pass through all stages of Parliament before the summer recess, with the third reading and final vote scheduled for July 25.

It had previously been agreed that the House would rise for its recess on July 13 after the second reading of the Bill, with discussion carrying on within the Standing Committee for the Consideration of Bills through the summer if this was necessary.

Yesterday, the House Business Committee decided that Parliament will continue to meet and the third and final reading will take place on July 25, following a plenary session of the House if agreement is not reached on amendments in the standing committee.

Divorce debate

The plenary committee session would unusually be chaired by Mr Speaker, after a motion is passed on which both sides of the House are already agreed.

The motion will be submitted and passed without prejudice to the powers of the HBC, which is normally empowered to decide on such procedural matters.

Between July 4 and 8 sittings will be held in the evenings. If more sittings are required these will be held in the mornings of July 11 and 12. The vote on the second reading will be taken exclusively at the end of the sitting on July 13.

The Standing Committee for the Consideration of Bills will start its work on the Bill immediately after that and conclude its work by July 22. It will be chaired by Deputy Speaker Ċensu Galea or, in his absence, by Frans Agius (PN). The two party whips will nominate three members from each side to the committee. However, any other MP who will be able to attend, participate in the proceedings and propose fresh amendments.

If unanimous agreement is not reached in the committee, the House will hold a plenary session in committee on July 25 under the special chairmanship of Mr Speaker. No debate will be entertained during this sitting.

At the end of the plenary sitting, if held, the House will adjourn for 30 minutes and start another sitting for the third reading.

Party whips David Agius (PN) and Joe Mizzi (PL) will meet before July 4 to decide on the voting method.

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