Church of England Assembly (Powers) Act 1919 - Procedure

Procedure

The Act creates an Ecclesiastical Committee, consisting of fifteen members of the House of Lords chosen by the Lord Speaker, and fifteen members of the House of Commons, chosen by the Speaker of the House of Commons. The members are appointed for the duration of each parliament, and vacancies may be filled by the speaker of the relevant House. A quorum for business is twelve members.

The General Synod refers any measures which it desires to pass into law to the Legislative Committee, a body appointed by the General Synod from among its own members. This Committee forwards the proposed measure to the Ecclesiastical Committee, together with any comments or explanations that it, or the General Synod, wishes to add. (However the Legislative Committee may not amend the measure.) Either Committee has the right to consult with the other in a joint conference to debate the measure.

The Ecclesiastical Committee then drafts a report for Parliament, "stating the nature and legal effect of the measure and its views as to the expediency thereof, especially with relation to the constitutional rights of all Majesty’s subjects." The Legislative Committee may then decide whether to allow the report to be presented to Parliament, or withdraw the measure. The General Synod may also direct the Committee to withdraw the measure. The Ecclesiastical Committee may not present the report without permission.

If the Legislative Committee wishes to proceed, then the report and the measure are both presented to each House of Parliament. If both Houses pass a resolution agreeing to the measure, then it is presented to the Queen to receive royal assent. On receiving royal assent it becomes a law.