(a) Yes. At the first reading stage, a member of the House formally proposes that the Bill be read a first time. The clerk of the House reads out the long title of the Bill (not the whole Bill). There is no debate.

This process is known as the 'initiation and first reading'. If the proposal is passed by a simple majority of those present, the Bill is placed on the agenda of the House. A date is set for the next stage.