Nowadays only very important Government bills are introduced
in this manner. In the case of all other bills the first reading has
become a mere formality, involving nothing more than a motion on the
part of a member, official or private, for permission to bring in a
measure and the giving of leave by the House, almost invariably
without discussion. Upon all measures save the most important
Government projects, opportunity for debate is first afforded at the
second reading, although the discussion at this stage must relate to
general principles rather than to details. By the adoption of a motion
that the bill be read a second time "this day six months" (or at some
other date falling beyond the anticipated limits of the session) a
measure may at this point be killed.

*141. Public Bills: Later Stages.*--A bill which survives the (p. 134)
second reading is "committed." Prior to 1907 it would go normally to
the Committee of the Whole. Nowadays it goes there if it is a money
bill or a bill for confirming a provisional order,[196] or if, on
other grounds, the House so directs; otherwise it goes to one of the
four standing committees, assignment being made by the Speaker. This
is the stage at which the provisions of the measure are considered in
detail and amendments are introduced. After the second reading, however,
a bill may be referred to a select committee, and in the event that
this is done a step is added to the process, for after being returned
by the select committee the measure goes to the Committee of the Whole
or to one of the standing committees. Eventually the bill is reported
back to the House. If reported by a standing committee or, in amended
form by the Committee of the Whole, it is considered by the House
afresh and in some detail; otherwise, the "report stage" is omitted.
Finally comes the third reading, the question now being whether the
House approves the measure as a whole. At this stage any amendment
beyond verbal changes necessitates recommitment. The carrying of a
measure through these successive stages is spread over, as a rule,
several days, and sometimes several weeks, but it is not impossible
that the entire process be completed during the period of a sitting.
Having been adopted by the originating house, a bill is taken by a
clerk to the other house, there to be subjected to substantially the
same procedure. If amendments are introduced, it is sent back in order
that the suggested changes ma