text_body: --- DIVISION TITLE ---
  
  Local Government Bill [HL] - Motion to refer to the Examiners
  
  --- MOTION EFFECT ---
  
  The House of Lords agreed that [http://services.parliament.uk/bills/2010-11/localgovernmenthl.html the Local Government Bill] ought be assessed by professional staff to determine if it ought be treated as a Government (public) bill or as a "hybrid" bill as it progresses through Parliament. 
  
  The text of the motion agreed to was:  "That the [Local Government] Bill ought be referred to the examiners." 
  
  The Examiners, are the Clerks of Private Bills in both Houses.[1] 
  
  A definition of a hybrid bill was given in the debate preceding the division:
  
  "A hybrid bill is defined as 'a public bill which affects a particular private interest in a manner different from the private interests of other persons or bodies of the same category or class'".
  
  Specific councils were named in the bill and treated differently to others;  an argument was made that this could result in the bill being considered a hybrid. 
  
  The decision of the examiners will affect the bill's future passage through Parliament
  
  The Lords divided Contents 154; Not-Contents 150, with the Contents being in favour of referring the bill to the examiners for an expert opinion as to its status. 
  
  
  * [1] [http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld201011/ldhansrd/text/100608-0002.htm Debate preceding division]
  
  
  
  
  
  
  --- COMMENTS AND NOTES ---
  
  (put thoughts and notes for other researchers here)
  