Sub-amendment

A sub-amendment changes the wording of a principal amendment rather than the underlying bill directly. It must satisfy procedural and admissibility rules and is considered before the amendment to which it relates. If adopted, the principal amendment is then decided in its modified form.

An MP sub-amends a Government amendment to narrow the scope of its new provision.

A sub-amendment cannot be understood independently of the main amendment it changes.

Modifies an amendment

Considered before the principal amendment

Affects the text only through that amendment