Emergency legislation to ban human cloning in the UK went through its second and third readings in 2001

At the third reading a bill is reviewed in its final form including amendments made at earlier stages.

In the Commons substantive amendments cannot be made at this stage to a bill in the Commons and the third reading debate is generally short.

In the Lords, amendments can be made at third reading provided the issue has not been voted on at an earlier stage.

After passing its third reading in one House a bill is sent to the other House.