Defence Expenditure (NATO Target) Bill 2015-16

The Defence Expenditure (NATO Target) Bill was a Ballot Bill tabled by Gerald Howarth.

No. This Bill is not under active consideration by Parliament, as it was introduced during the previous 2015-16 Session.

As a Private Members' Bill, this Bill represents the individual initiative of an MP (Gerald Howarth), not the Government.

20 Ballot Bills places are awarded by lottery to backbench MP's at the start of each Session. These Bills receive precedence for debate in the Commons and a handful will succeed in becoming enacted into law.

The higher chance of success means MPs who win a ballot slot are frequently lobbied by groups wishing to have legislation tabled on their behalf, but the choice of bill ultimately remains with the MP.

No. This Bill did not complete it's passage before the Session completed and is no longer before Parliament. However, it may have been re-introduced under a similar name in a subsequent Session.

The most straightforward information is contained in the initial Explanatory Notes for the Bill.

See these Glossary articles for more information: Ballot Bill, Private Members Bill, Process of a Bill