(b) Gay Marriage: MPs back legislation. BBC, Feb 5, 2013 (1 hour ago). http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-21346220
("MPs were given a free vote on the bill, meaning they were not ordered to vote a particular way by party whips")
Note:
(a) The report states, "Their decision to back the bill at second reading signifies that they approve of it in principle. The legislation will now receive more detailed parliamentary scrutiny."
Quote: "Following its passage in one House, the bill is sent to the other House. If passed in identical form by both Houses, it may be presented for the Sovereign's Assent. If one House passes amendments that the other will not agree to, and the two Houses cannot resolve their disagreements, the bill fails."
(b) The report mentions "the repeal of section 28."
Section 28 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Section_28
("Section 28 of the Local Government Act 1988 caused the controversial addition of Section 2A to the Local Government Act 1986 (affecting England, Wales and Scotland), enacted [in] 1988 and repealed on [in] 2000 in Scotland, and [in] 2003 in the rest of Great Britain by section 122 of the Local Government Act 2003. The amendment stated that a local authority 'shall not intentionally promote homosexuality'")