What is a Hybrid Bill? Hybrid Bill procedure applies to Public Bills (i.e.

essentially Government Bills) which have a significant impact on specific individuals or groups. By passing this Act of Parliament, the Government would be empowered to construct and maintain Phase One of High Speed 2.

What is the Hybrid Bill process? 1. The Bill was given a First Reading in November 2014. This was merely the formality that made the Bill into a Bill. No debate took place at that stage. 2. The principles of the Bill are debated at Second Reading. The earliest date at which this can take place is 28th April 2014. A Select Committee of MPs to consider petitions against the Bill is established through a Motion at Second Reading. 3. The Select Committee hears objections (petitions) against details of the scheme by those directly and specially affected by its proposals. The Select Committee can recommend changes to the Bill on the basis of the evidence and arguments they hear from petitioners. 4. A Public Bill Committee of MPs then reviews the Bill and may make further amendments 5. The Bill then receives its Third Reading and goes to the Lords, where it undergoes a similar process. 6. After the Bill returns to the Commons from the Lords, any amendments are considered and it ultimately receives Royal Assent, thus becoming an Act of Parliament.

What is a Petition? A written petition summarises an individual or groups objections to the Bill objections which can be presented in person to the Select Committee. Can I submit a Petition? Petitions will be accepted only if they are submitted by an individual, group or organisation which is directly and specially affected by the Bill. Petitions will be accepted after the Bill receives its Second Reading in the Commons this will be no earlier than Monday 28th April.

It may be that the Committee does not accept your petition because you do not meet the criteria of being directly and specially affected. The Committees decision in this matter is final. The Promoter of the Bill (High Speed 2 Ltd) has the right to question any Petitioners right to petition. How do I put together a Petition? Petitions against a Bill take a specific form samples of petitions against the last Hybrid Bill (the Crossrail Bill) are available online:

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200506/cmbills/001/001pet.htm
A template petition is available in this guide on page 6 and further advice is on the parliamentary website The general format of the Bill is as follows: 1. Refer to the Bill. 2. Details about the petitioner (address or capacity in which you are submitting the petition). 3. Set out the impact of the Bill on the petitioner (by identifying the specific clauses in the Bill which cause the issue complained of). 4. Outline what remedy is sought. It is worth looking at petitions submitted during the Crossrail Bill to get a flavour of what requests have previously been made. It is worth noting that only issues raised in the written petition can be the subject of discussion at Committee. Therefore, make sure your petition covers all the relevant arguments, which will afford you the opportunity to cover all bases during Committee. That said, it is strongly advised not to go into great detail; these can be elaborated on at Committee stage. It is suggested that you send the Private Bill Office a draft version of your petition prior to formal submission in order that any suggested amendments can be made. Over the course of the coming weeks, many petitioners will be consulting with the Private Bill Office and the Offices resources are finite; it is advisable, therefore, to get your draft Petition to them as early as possible.

Who should sign a Petition? Any individual directly and specially affected by High Speed 2 can petition against the Bill. Who can appear before the Committee? Individuals are able to represent themselves before the Committee. In the case of organisations, member or officers of the organisation can represent the organisation provided they are duly authorised. Otherwise, in order for a representative to present a petition before the Committee on behalf of an affected party, they need to be either a Roll A or Roll B Agent. Roll A Agents are professional Parliamentary Agents, and a list of these agents is available at:

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/pbagents.htm
Other individuals can apply to be Roll B Agents. If you wish to apply, you must supply a

Certificate of Respectability, signed by a magistrate, barrister, solicitor or Member of Parliament. John Bercow is willing to sign such certificates for his constituents who wish to Petition the Committee. If you wish to be registered as a Roll B Agent, you must take your Certificate of Respectability to the Private Bill Office in the House of Commons before the first hearing of the Committee. You can also do this when you deposit your petition. However, you should not send an application to be a Roll B agent earlier than the petitioning period. Community Groups (for example, Parish Councils) wishing to petition must be prepared to demonstrate that they are acting on behalf of the community they purport to represent either by way of an authorisation letter or a properly constituted meeting. authorisation is available on page 10. Thie resolution or letter of authorisation must be presented to the Private Bill Office when the Petition is submitted. The meeting should be properly advertised. The Local Government Act prescribes a 10-day notice period for such meetings, and though this excludes Parish and Community Councils, by adhering to this time-frame, local organisations can safely protect themselves from criticism. How do I submit a Petition? A template letter of

A Petition should be presented on A4 paper, only printed on one side, accompanied by 4 copies and 2 cover sheets as demonstrated on page 9. The Petition must be deposited with the Private Bill Office by either the petitioner, an authorised agent or a Member of Parliament. Every Petition incurs a 20 fee.