Contents
Chamber business
The House met at 11.30 am.
Prayers
1Questions to the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs
2Statements: (1) Children’s use of mobile phones and social media (Secretary Liz Kendall)
(2) Proposed Chinese Embassy (Dan Jarvis)
3Glaucoma care (England): Motion for leave to bring in a Bill (Standing Order No. 23)
Ordered, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to make provision about the detection, treatment and monitoring of glaucoma by optometrists in England; to make provision about the full integration of optometry and ophthalmology services for the purpose of glaucoma care in England; and for connected purposes;
That Shockat Adam, Marsha De Cordova, Jim Shannon, Brian Leishman, Jeremy Corbyn, Ayoub Khan, Iqbal Mohamed, Mr Adnan Hussain, Paulette Hamilton, Mark Pritchard and Adrian Ramsay present the Bill.
Shockat Adam accordingly presented the Bill.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 13 March, and to be printed (Bill 369).
4Sentencing Bill: Programme (No. 2)
Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 83A(7)), That the following provisions shall apply to the Sentencing Bill for the purpose of supplementing the Order of 16 September 2025 (Sentencing Bill: Programme):
Consideration of Lords Amendments
(1) Proceedings on consideration of Lords Amendments shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion two hours after their commencement.
(2) The Lords Amendments shall be considered in the following order: 7, 1 to 6 and 8 to 15.
Subsequent stages
(3) Any further Message from the Lords may be considered forthwith without any Question being put.
(4) Proceedings on any further Message from the Lords shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion one hour after their commencement.—(Stephen Morgan.)
Question agreed to.
5Sentencing Bill: Consideration of Lords Amendments
Lords Amendment 7
Motion made and Question put, That this House disagrees with the Lords in their Amendment 7.—(Jake Richards.)
The House divided.
Division No. 410
Ayes: 319 (Tellers: Jade Botterill, Stephen Morgan)
Noes: 127 (Tellers: Harriet Cross, Gregory Stafford)
Question agreed to.
Lords Amendment 7 accordingly disagreed to.
Amendments (a) and (b) made to the Bill in lieu of Lords Amendment 7.
Lords Amendments 1 to 6 and 8 to 15 agreed to.
6Holocaust Memorial Bill: Allocation of Time
Ordered, That the following provisions shall apply to the proceedings on the Holocaust Memorial Bill:
Consideration of Lords Amendments
(1) Proceedings on consideration of Lords Amendments shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion one hour after their commencement.
(2) Paragraphs (2) to (7) of Standing Order No. 83F (Programme orders: conclusion of proceedings on consideration of Lords amendments) apply for the purposes of bringing any proceedings to a conclusion in accordance with paragraph (1) of this Order.
Subsequent stages
(3)(a) Any further Message from the Lords on the Bill may be considered forthwith without any Question being put; and any proceedings interrupted for that purpose shall be suspended accordingly.
(b) Proceedings on any further Message from the Lords shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion one hour after their commencement; and any proceedings suspended under sub-paragraph (a) shall thereupon be resumed.
(4) Paragraphs (2) to (5) of Standing Order No. 83G (Programme orders: conclusion of proceedings on further messages from the Lords) apply for the purposes of bringing any proceedings to a conclusion in accordance with paragraph (3) of this Order.
Reasons Committee
(5) Paragraphs (2) to (6) of Standing Order No. 83H (Programme orders: reasons committee) apply in relation to any committee to be appointed to draw up reasons after proceedings have been brought to a conclusion in accordance with this Order.
Miscellaneous
(6) Standing Order No. 15(1) (Exempted business) shall apply to proceedings on the Bill.
(7)(a) No dilatory Motion shall be made in relation to proceedings to which this Order applies except by a Minister of the Crown.
(b) The Question on any such Motion shall be put forthwith.
(8) Proceedings to which this Order applies shall not be interrupted under any Standing Order relating to the sittings of the House.—(Christian Wakeford.)
7Holocaust Memorial Bill: Consideration of Lords Amendments
Lords Amendment 1 disagreed to.
Motion made and Question put forthwith (Order, today, and Standing Order No. 83H(2)), That a Committee be appointed to draw up Reasons to be assigned to the Lords for disagreeing to their Amendment 1.
That Sir James Cleverly, Deirdre Costigan, Miatta Fahnbulleh, Zöe Franklin, Laura Kyrke-Smith, Peter Prinsley, and Mark Sewards be members of the Committee.
That Miatta Fahnbulleh be the Chair of the Committee.
That three be the quorum of the Committee.
That the Committee do withdraw immediately.—(Taiwo Owatemi.)
Question agreed to.
8Diego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory Bill: Programme (No. 2)
Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 83A(7)), That the following provisions shall apply to the Diego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory Bill for the purpose of supplementing the Order of 9 September 2025 (Diego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory Bill: Programme):
Consideration of Lords Amendments
(1) Proceedings on the Lords Amendments shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion two hours after their commencement.
(2) The Lords Amendments shall be considered in the following order: 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 4.
Subsequent stages
(3) Any further Message from the Lords may be considered forthwith without any Question being put.
(4) The proceedings on any further Message from the Lords shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion one hour after their commencement.—(Taiwo Owatemi.)
Question agreed to.
9Diego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory Bill: Consideration of Lords Amendments
The Deputy Speaker announced that Lords Amendments 2, 3 and 6 engaged financial privilege.
Lords Amendment 1
Motion made and Question proposed, That this House disagrees with the Lords in their Amendment 1.—(Stephen Doughty.)
The Deputy Speaker announced a time limit on backbench speeches (Standing Order No. 47(1)).
Question put.
The House divided.
Division No. 411
Ayes: 344 (Tellers: Jade Botterill, Gregor Poynton)
Noes: 182 (Tellers: Harriet Cross, Mr Andrew Snowden)
Question agreed to.
Lords Amendment 1 accordingly disagreed to.
Lords Amendments 2 and 3
The Deputy Speaker informed the House that the Speaker was satisfied that Lords Amendments 2 and 3 imposed an unauthorised charge on the public revenue.
Accordingly, Lords Amendments 2 and 3 were deemed to be disagreed to (Standing Order No. 78(3)).
As it was more than two hours after the commencement of proceedings on consideration of Lords Amendments, the Deputy Speaker put the Questions necessary to bring proceedings on consideration of Lords Amendments to a conclusion (Programme Order, today).
The following Questions were put forthwith (Standing Order No. 83F).
(1) That this House disagrees with the Lords in their Amendment 5 (Question on any Motion made by a Minister of the Crown to disagree with a Lords Amendment).—(Stephen Doughty.)
The House divided.
Division No. 412
Ayes: 347 (Tellers: Jade Botterill, Gregor Poynton)
Noes: 185 (Tellers: Harriet Cross, Mr Andrew Snowden)
Question agreed to.
Lords Amendment 5 accordingly disagreed to.
(2) That this House disagrees with the Lords in their Amendment 6 (Question on any Motion made by a Minister of the Crown to disagree with a Lords Amendment).—(Stephen Doughty.)
The House divided.
Division No. 413
Ayes: 347 (Tellers: Jade Botterill, Gregor Poynton)
Noes: 184 (Tellers: Harriet Cross, Mr Andrew Snowden)
Question agreed to.
Lords Amendment 6 accordingly disagreed to.
(3) That this House agrees with the Lords in their Amendment 4 (Question to agree with all remaining Lords Amendments).
Question agreed to.
Lords Amendment 4 accordingly agreed to.
Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 83H(2)), That a Committee be appointed to draw up Reasons to be assigned to the Lords for disagreeing to their Amendments 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6;
That Catherine Atkinson, Chris Curtis, Stephen Doughty, Zöe Franklin, Dame Priti Patel, Jessica Toale, and Imogen Walker be members of the Committee;
That Stephen Doughty be the Chair of the Committee;
That three be the quorum of the Committee;
That the Committee do withdraw immediately.—(Gen Kitchen.)
Question agreed to.
10Statutory Instruments: Motions for Approval
Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Local Government (Exclusion of Non-commercial Considerations) (England) Order 2026, which was laid before this House on 2 December 2025, be approved.—(Gen Kitchen.)
Question agreed to.
Subject: 5G connectivity in Telford and the West Midlands (Shaun Davies)
Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Gen Kitchen.)
Adjourned at 8.15 pm until tomorrow.
Other Proceedings
Lords Messages
12Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Bill
The Lords agree to the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Bill with Amendments to which they desire the agreement of the Commons.
Printing of Lords Amendments
13Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Bill
Lords Amendments to the Bill to be considered tomorrow, and to be printed (Bill 371) with Explanatory Notes (Bill 371–EN).
Changes to Notices Given
Order for Second Reading on Friday 23 January, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 27 February.
Reasons Committees: Reports
15Holocaust Memorial Bill: Reasons Committee
Miatta Fahnbulleh reported that the Committee had agreed the following Reason:
Lords Amendment 1
Because the Commons consider that it is appropriate for the details of the work of the learning centre to be dealt with otherwise than in this legislation.
16Diego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory Bill: Reasons Committee
Stephen Doughty reported that the Committee had agreed the following Reasons:
Lords Amendment 1
Because it is not appropriate to re-open the terms of the Treaty.
Lords Amendment 2
Because the Lords Amendments would involve a charge on the public funds; and the Commons do not offer any further Reason, trusting that this Reason may be deemed sufficient.
Lords Amendment 3
Because the Lords Amendments would involve a charge on the public funds; and the Commons do not offer any further Reason, trusting that this Reason may be deemed sufficient.
Lords Amendment 5
Because adequate information on this issue has already been published.
Lords Amendment 6
Because the Lords Amendment would affect the Commons’ arrangements for authorising expenditure; and the Commons do not offer any further Reason, trusting that this Reason may be deemed sufficient.
General Committees: Reports
Paula Barker (Chair) reported:
(1) That the Committee had come to the following Resolution, That, subject to the discretion of the Chair, any written evidence received by the Committee shall be reported to the House for publication; and
(2) written evidence.
Written evidence to be published.
18First Delegated Legislation Committee
Sir Christopher Chope (Chair) reported the draft Social Security (Scotland) Act 2018 (Carer’s Assistance) (Consequential Modifications) Order 2026.
19Second Delegated Legislation Committee
Sir Alec Shelbrooke (Chair) reported the draft Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Cryptoassets) Regulations 2025.
General Committees: Appointments
The Speaker appoints the Chair of General Committees and members of Programming Sub-Committees, and allocates Statutory Instruments to Delegated Legislation Committees.
The Committee of Selection nominates Members to serve on General Committees (and certain Members to serve on Grand Committees).
20Railways Bill (Programming Sub-Committee)
Members: Nesil Caliskan, Liam Conlon, Olly Glover, Lilian Greenwood, Keir Mather, Rebecca Smith and Laurence Turner
21First Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Social Security (Scotland) Act 2018 (Carer’s Assistance) (Consequential Modifications) Order 2026)
Members: David Mundell discharged and Lewis Cocking nominated in substitution.
22Third Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Non-Domestic Rating (Chargeable Amounts) (England) Regulations 2026)
Members: Ms Stella Creasy discharged and Peter Lamb nominated in substitution.
Select Committees: Reports
Record of the Committee’s discussions at its meeting on Tuesday 20 January, to be published (Nick Smith).
24Backbench Business Committee
Transcript of representations made on Tuesday 20 January, to be published (Bob Blackman).
25Business and Trade Committee
(1) Priorities of the Business and Trade Committee for 2026:
(i) Thirteenth Report, to be printed, with the formal minutes relating to the Report (HC 1411);
(ii) Written evidence, to be published (HC 1411);
(iii) Written evidence;
(2) Correspondence relating to arms exports to the United Arab Emirates: Written evidence received by the Sub-Committee, to be published;
(3) Financing the real economy: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1220)
(Liam Byrne).
26Culture, Media and Sport Committee
(1) Major events: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 1339);
(2) Protecting built heritage: Written evidence, to be published (HC 594);
(3) The work of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport: Written evidence, to be published (HC 330)
(Dame Caroline Dinenage).
(1) Afghan data breach and resettlement schemes: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 1304);
(2) AUKUS: Written evidence, to be published (HC 841);
(3) Correspondence with the Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry relating to a quarterly update on the UK Military Flying Training System: Written evidence, to be published;
(4) Memorandum from the Minister for the Armed Forces relating to the Armed Forces Bill: Written evidence, to be published
(Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi).
(1) Correspondence from Minister for Children and Families relating to the Department for Education’s response to the Law Commission’s review of disabled children’s social care: Written evidence, to be published;
(2) Reading for pleasure: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1528)
(Helen Hayes).
29Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee:
(1) Future of farming: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 527);
(2) Animal and plant health: Written evidence, to be published (HC 611)
(Mr Alistair Carmichael).
(1) The UK Government’s China Audit: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 1174);
(2) Disinformation diplomacy: How malign actors are seeking to undermine democracy: Written evidence, to be published (HC 703);
(3) The work of the British Council: Written evidence, to be published (HC 609);
(4) Work of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office: Written evidence, to be published (HC 385)
(Emily Thornberry).
(1) Asylum accommodation:
(i) The Home Office's management of asylum accommodation: Government Response: Third Special Report, to be printed (HC 1642);
(ii) Written evidence, to be published (HC 580);
(2) Combatting new forms of extremism: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 903);
(3) Correspondence from the Minister for Migration and Citizenship relating to cannabis deterrence communications: Written evidence, to be published;
(4) Football policing: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1553)
(Dame Karen Bradley).
32Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee
Housing conditions in England: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1154) (Florence Eshalomi).
33International Development Committee
(1) Empowering Development: Energy Access for Communities: Government Response: Seventh Special Report, to be printed (HC 1626);
(2) Future of UK aid and development assistance: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 1330);
(3) Correspondence with the Minister for Climate and Minister for International Development and Africa relating to Tropical Forest Forever Facility: Written evidence, to be published
(Sarah Champion).
(1) Correspondence from the Lord Chancellor relating to HMP Wandsworth: Written evidence, to be published;
(2) Correspondence from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Alex Davies-Jones MP) relating to the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Correspondence with the Minister for Prisons, Probation and Reducing Reoffending: Written evidence, to be published;
(4) Correspondence with the Minister of State (Sarah Sackman KC MP): Written evidence, to be published;
(5) Reform of the Criminal Court: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1602)
(Andy Slaughter).
(1) Record of the Committee’s decisions relating to e-petitions, to be published;
(2) List of closed e-petitions presented to the House, to be published
(Jamie Stone).
Matter referred on 14 July 2025 (Omagh Bombing Inquiry): Government Response: First Special Report, to be printed (HC 1616) (Alberto Costa).
37Science, Innovation and Technology Committee
(1) Innovation and global food security: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 1245);
(2) Innovation showcase: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 523);
(3) Correspondence from Ofcom on intimate Grok AI deepfakes: Written evidence, to be published;
(4) Correspondence with the Secretary of State relating to UK-US life sciences deal: Written evidence, to be published
(Dame Chi Onwurah).
(1) Taxation of gambling: Government Response: Sixth Special Report, to be printed (HC 1625);
(2) Bank of England Financial Stability Reports: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 674);
(3) Correspondence with the Chancellor of the Exchequer relating to the Office for Budget Responsibility legislation: Written evidence, to be published
(Dame Meg Hillier).
Sir Lindsay Hoyle
Speaker
Westminster Hall
The sitting began at 9.30 am.
Business appointed by the Chairman of Ways and Means (Standing Order No. 10(6))
1Role of the NHS in preventing domestic homicides and domestic abuse-related deaths
Resolved, That this House has considered the role of the NHS in preventing domestic homicides and domestic abuse-related deaths.—(Dr Simon Opher.)
The sitting was suspended between 10.42 am and 11 am.
2Out of area placements in temporary accommodation
Resolved, That this House has considered out of area placements in temporary accommodation.—(Josh Babarinde.)
The sitting was suspended between 11.29 am and 2.30 pm (Standing Order No. 10(1)(b)).
3Enforcement of the Water (Special Measures) Act 2025
Resolved, That this House has considered the enforcement of the Water (Special Measures) Act 2025.—(Tom Gordon.)
4Cultural opportunities in County Durham
Motion made and Question proposed, That this House has considered cultural opportunities in County Durham.—(Mary Kelly Foy.)
The sitting was suspended between 4.13 pm and 4.28 pm for a division in the House (Standing Order No. 10(3)).
Resolved, That this House has considered cultural opportunities in County Durham.
Motion made and Question proposed, That this House has considered ADHD diagnosis.—(Bill Esterson.)
The Chair announced a time limit on backbench speeches (under the authority of the Chairman of Ways and Means and Standing Order No. 47(1)).
At 5.45 pm, the Motion lapsed (Standing Order No. 10(14)).
Sitting adjourned without Question put (Standing Order No. 10(14)).
Adjourned at 5.45 pm until tomorrow.
Ms Nusrat Ghani
Chairman of Ways and Means
Papers Laid
Papers subject to Negative Resolution
Customs (Tariff and Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2026 (SI, 2026, No. 36), dated 20 January 2026 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Dan Tomlinson)
School and Early Years Finance (England) Regulations 2026 (SI, 2026, No. 37), dated 16 January 2026 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Georgia Gould)
Papers laid under paragraph 6 of Schedule 5 to the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Act 2023
Proposal for an instrument titled Plant Varieties Act (Amendment) Regulations 2026, with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Act) (Secretary Emma Reynolds)
Other papers
Fees for Services for Energy Resilience Direction (by Act) (Michael Shanks)
5Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
A New Vision for Water (by Command) (CP 1490) (Secretary Emma Reynolds)