On November 28th, the Knesset passed the first reading of a private member's bill dissolving the house and setting new elections.

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Then, peers turn to another private member's bill from the Commons, the third reading of the Antarctic Bill - before resuming the report stage of the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Bill .

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And in 1971 it unanimously passed a motion honouring the Boston Strangler, which a playful member had sponsored to demonstrate that his colleagues passed bills without reading them.

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This prevented an agreement being reached at first reading between the Parliament and the Council - which represents member states.

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Certain portions Simon read alone, others he'd subcontract to another family member, or we'd go around the table, each person reading one verse.

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However, the deadlock between the parliament and member states means that the proposals are likely to move to a second reading later in the year.

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Watkins then played in the band his father conducted - the Spring Gardens Brass Band in Reading - of which his grandfather was also conductor and a founder member.

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At first reading stage MEPs failed to reach agreement with the Council of Ministers - which represents EU member states - over the implementation of the proposals.

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