Contents
Chamber business
No. 256
The House met at 11.30 am.
Prayers
1Questions to (1) the Secretary of State for Wales
(2) the Prime Minister
2Statement: Security update (Dan Jarvis)
3Military Action (Parliamentary Approval) (No. 2) Bill: Presentation (Standing Order No. 57)
Jeremy Corbyn, supported by Ms Diane Abbott, Bell Ribeiro-Addy, Brian Leishman, Mr Adnan Hussain, John McDonnell, Ayoub Khan, Richard Burgon, Kim Johnson, Apsana Begum, Dr Ellie Chowns and Hannah Spencer, presented a Bill to require parliamentary approval for the deployment of UK armed forces and military equipment for armed conflict; to require parliamentary approval for the granting of permission by Ministers for use of UK military bases and equipment by other nations for armed conflict; to require the withdrawal of that permission in circumstances where parliamentary approval is not granted; to provide for certain exemptions from these requirements; to make provision for retrospective parliamentary approval in certain circumstances; and for connected purposes.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 17 April, and to be printed (Bill 398).
4State Actors (Proscription) Bill: Presentation (Standing Order No. 57)
Calum Miller, supported by James MacCleary, Dr Al Pinkerton, Edward Morello, Andrew George, Jess Brown-Fuller, Wera Hobhouse and Sarah Olney, presented a Bill to provide the Secretary of State with powers to proscribe state actors, state-linked actors and private entities acting on their behalf; to require the Secretary of State to use those powers to proscribe the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps; and for connected purposes.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 17 April, and to be printed (Bill 399).
5United States Military and Security Operations (Oversight) Bill: Presentation (Standing Order No. 57)
Calum Miller, supported by James MacCleary, Dr Al Pinkerton, Edward Morello, Andrew George, Jess Brown-Fuller, Wera Hobhouse and Sarah Olney, presented a Bill to confer oversight and reporting functions on the Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament in relation to the use of bases or facilities located in the United Kingdom or under United Kingdom jurisdiction for military and security operations conducted by the United States; to require the provision of information to the Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament for the purpose of carrying out those functions; to provide for exemptions from the provision of information in certain circumstances; and for connected purposes.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 17 April, and to be printed (Bill 400).
6Police (declaration): Motion for leave to bring in a Bill (Standing Order No. 23)
Ordered, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to require police officers and certain employees of police forces to declare a membership of or affiliation to certain types of society and organisation; to require such declarations to be accompanied by a statement relating to that membership; and for connected purposes;
That Tonia Antoniazzi, Louise Haigh, Justin Madders, Paula Barker, Claire Hanna, Chris Bloore, David Smith, Ben Lake, Ann Davies, Liz Saville Roberts, Llinos Medi and Sarah Dyke present the Bill.
Tonia Antoniazzi accordingly presented the Bill.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 17 April, and to be printed (Bill 393).
7Estimates Day (Standing Order No. 54, Order, 10 February and Resolution, 25 February) (4th allotted day)
(1) Supplementary Estimate 2025–26: Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
Subject: Spending of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
Motion made and Question proposed, That, for the year ending with 31 March 2026, for expenditure by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office:
(1) the resources authorised for current purposes be reduced by £595,921,000 as set out in HC 1676,
(2) the resources authorised for capital purposes be reduced by £228,252,000 as so set out, and
(3) a further sum, not exceeding £6,190,000, be granted to His Majesty to be issued by the Treasury out of the Consolidated Fund and applied for expenditure on the use of resources authorised by Parliament.—(Taiwo Owatemi.)
The Deputy Speaker announced a time limit on backbench speeches (Standing Order No. 47(1)).
Debate concluded and Question deferred (Standing Order No. 54(4)).
(2) Supplementary Estimate 2025–26: Ministry of Defence
Subject: Spending of the Ministry of Defence
Motion made and Question proposed, That, for the year ending with 31 March 2026, for expenditure by the Ministry of Defence:
(1) further resources, not exceeding £21,545,924,000, be authorised for use for current purposes as set out in HC 1676,
(2) further resources, not exceeding £63,680,000, be authorised for capital purposes as so set out, and
(3) a further sum, not exceeding £571,284,000, be granted to His Majesty to be issued by the Treasury out of the Consolidated Fund and applied for expenditure on the use of resources authorised by Parliament.—(Gregor Poynton.)
The Deputy Speaker announced a time limit on backbench speeches (Standing Order No. 47(1)).
Debate concluded and Question deferred (Standing Order No. 54(4)).
(3) Supplementary Estimate 2025–26: Department for Business and Trade
Subject: Spending of the Department for Business and Trade
Motion made and Question proposed, That, for the year ending with 31 March 2026, for expenditure by the Department for Business and Trade:
(1) further resources, not exceeding £1,726,964,000, be authorised for use for current purposes as set out in HC 1676,
(2) the resources authorised for capital purposes be reduced by £179,365,000 as so set out, and
(3) the sum authorised for issue out of the Consolidated Fund be reduced by £1,181,297,000.—(Imogen Walker.)
The Deputy Speaker announced a time limit on backbench speeches (Standing Order No. 47(1)).
Debate concluded and Question deferred (Standing Order No. 54(4)).
8Estimates (Questions deferred)
The following Questions were put forthwith (Standing Order No. 54(6)).
(1) Supplementary Estimate 2025–26: Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
That, for the year ending with 31 March 2026, for expenditure by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office:
(1) the resources authorised for current purposes be reduced by £595,921,000 as set out in HC 1676,
(2) the resources authorised for capital purposes be reduced by £228,252,000 as so set out, and
(3) a further sum, not exceeding £6,190,000, be granted to His Majesty to be issued by the Treasury out of the Consolidated Fund and applied for expenditure on the use of resources authorised by Parliament.
Question agreed to.
(2) Supplementary Estimate 2025–26: Ministry of Defence
That, for the year ending with 31 March 2026, for expenditure by the Ministry of Defence:
(1) further resources, not exceeding £21,545,924,000, be authorised for use for current purposes as set out in HC 1676,
(2) further resources, not exceeding £63,680,000, be authorised for capital purposes as so set out, and
(3) a further sum, not exceeding £571,284,000, be granted to His Majesty to be issued by the Treasury out of the Consolidated Fund and applied for expenditure on the use of resources authorised by Parliament.
Question agreed to.
(3) Supplementary Estimate 2025–26: Department for Business and Trade
That, for the year ending with 31 March 2026, for expenditure by the Department for Business and Trade:
(1) further resources, not exceeding £1,726,964,000, be authorised for use for current purposes as set out in HC 1676,
(2) the resources authorised for capital purposes be reduced by £179,365,000 as so set out, and
(3) the sum authorised for issue out of the Consolidated Fund be reduced by £1,181,297,000.
Question agreed to.
The following Questions were put forthwith (Standing Order No. 55).
(1) Estimates 2026–27 (Navy) Vote A
That, during the year ending with 31 March 2027, a number not exceeding 40,000 all ranks be maintained for Naval and Marine Service and that numbers in the Reserve Naval and Marines Forces be authorised for the purposes of Parts 1, 3, 4 and 5 of the Reserve Forces Act 1996 up to the maximum numbers set out in Votes A 2026–27, HC 1660.—(Mark Ferguson.)
Question agreed to.
(2) Estimates 2026–27 (Army) Vote A
That, during the year ending with 31 March 2027, a number not exceeding 99,180 all ranks be maintained for Army Service and that numbers in the Reserve Land Forces be authorised for the purposes of Parts 1, 3, 4 and 5 of the Reserve Forces Act 1996 up to the maximum numbers set out in Votes A 2026–27, HC 1660.—(Mark Ferguson.)
Question agreed to.
(3) Estimates 2026–27 (Air) Vote A
That, during the year ending with 31 March 2027, a number not exceeding 35,800 all ranks be maintained for Air Force Service and that numbers in the Reserve Air Forces be authorised for the purposes of Parts 1, 3, 4 and 5 of the Reserve Forces Act 1996 up to the maximum numbers set out in Votes A 2026–27, HC 1660.—(Mark Ferguson.)
Question agreed to.
(4) Estimates, Excesses 2024–25
That, for the year ending with 31 March 2025, resources, not exceeding £2,566,041,000, be authorised to make good excesses for use for current purposes as set out in the Statement of Excesses 2024-25, HC 1678.—(Mark Ferguson.)
Question agreed to.
(5) Supplementary Estimates 2025–26
That, for the year ending with 31 March 2026:
(1) further resources, not exceeding £44,628,435,000, be authorised for use for current purposes as set out in HC 1467, HC 1587, HC 1634, HC 1671, HC 1675, and HC 1676,
(2) the resources authorised for capital purposes be reduced by £10,047,543,000 as so set out, and
(3) the sum authorised for issue out of the Consolidated Fund be reduced by £5,585,877,000.—(Mark Ferguson.)
Question agreed to.
(6) Estimates, Vote on Account 2026–27
That, for the year ending with 31 March 2027:
(1) resources, not exceeding £430,307,374,000 be authorised, on account, for use for current purposes as set out in HC 1586, HC 1609, HC 1633, HC 1670, HC 1672, HC 1677 and HC 1680,
(2) resources, not exceeding £90,151,393,000, be authorised, on account, for use for capital purposes as so set out, and
(3) a sum, not exceeding £422,048,736,000, be granted to His Majesty to be issued by the Treasury out of the Consolidated Fund, on account, and applied for expenditure on the use of resources authorised by Parliament.—(Mark Ferguson.)
Question agreed to.
10Supply and Appropriation (Anticipation and Adjustments) (No. 2) Bill: Motion to introduce a Bill
Ordered, That a Bill be brought in upon the foregoing resolutions;
That the Chairman of Ways and Means, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, James Murray, Lucy Rigby, Dan Tomlinson and Torsten Bell introduce the Bill.
Dan Tomlinson accordingly introduced a Bill to authorise the use of resources for the years ending with 31 March 2025, 31 March 2026 and 31 March 2027; to authorise the issue of sums out of the Consolidated Fund for those years; and to appropriate the supply authorised by this Act for the years ending with 31 March 2025 and 31 March 2026.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time tomorrow, and to be printed (Bill 397).
11Statutory Instruments: Motions for Approval
(1) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Human Medicines (Amendment) Regulations 2026, which were laid before this House on 29 January, be approved.—(Mark Ferguson.)
Question agreed to.
(2) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Electricity Supplier Payments (Amendment) Regulations 2026, which were laid before this House on 2 February, be approved.—(Mark Ferguson.)
Question agreed to
(3) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Industrial Training Levy (Construction Industry Training Board) Order 2026, which was laid before this House on 2 February, be approved.—(Mark Ferguson.)
Question agreed to.
Subject: St Piran's Day (Perran Moon)
Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Mark Ferguson.)
Adjourned at 7.24 pm until tomorrow.
Other Proceedings
General Committees: Reports
13Fifth Delegated Legislation Committee
Valerie Vaz (Chair) reported the draft Climate Change Levy (Fuel Use and Recycling Processes) (Amendment) Regulations 2026.
14Sixth Delegated Legislation Committee
Emma Lewell (Chair) reported the draft Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provision) Regulations 2026.
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).
15Representation of the People Bill Committee
Chairs: Dr Rosena Allin-Khan, Dame Siobhain McDonagh, David Mundell and Sir Jeremy Wright
16First Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Procurement Act 2023 (Specified International Agreements and Saving Provision) (Amendment) Regulations 2026)
Chair: Sir Desmond Swayne
Members: Edward Argar, Sureena Brackenridge, Deirdre Costigan, Charlie Dewhirst, Sarah Gibson, John Grady, Paul Holmes, Terry Jermy, Naushabah Khan, Tim Roca, Mark Sewards, Lisa Smart, Alex Sobel, Kirsteen Sullivan, Chris Ward, Chris Webb and Mike Wood
17Second Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Goods Vehicles (Testing, Drivers’ Hours and Tachographs etc.) (Amendment) Regulations 2026)
Chair: Sir Alec Shelbrooke
Members: Dame Karen Bradley, Tim Farron, Tracy Gilbert, Olly Glover, Lilian Greenwood, Amanda Hack, Lincoln Jopp, Sonia Kumar, Simon Lightwood, Ms Julie Minns, Luke Myer, Joe Robertson, Oliver Ryan, Greg Smith, Sean Woodcock, Yuan Yang and Steve Yemm
18Third Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Higher Education (Fee Limits and Fee Limit Condition) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2026)
Chair: Sir John Hayes
Members: Jade Botterill, Aphra Brandreth, David Burton-Sampson, Charlotte Cane, Dan Carden, Sir Ashley Fox, Sir Roger Gale, Mary Glindon, Sir Mark Hendrick, Josh MacAlister, Ms Marie Rimmer, Nick Smith, Ian Sollom, Alan Strickland, Laura Trott, Derek Twigg and Michael Wheeler
19Fourth Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Employment Rights Act 2025 (Investigatory Powers) (Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2026)
Chair: Graham Stuart
Members: Stuart Anderson, Dame Harriett Baldwin, Julia Buckley, Nesil Caliskan, Mr Luke Charters, Daisy Cooper, Kate Dearden, Marsha De Cordova, Sarah Edwards, Linsey Farnsworth, Daniel Francis, Alison Griffiths, Gerald Jones, Perran Moon, Sarah Olney, Naz Shah and James Wild
20Fifth Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Renewables Obligation (Amendment) Order 2026)
Chair: Paula Barker
Members: Antonia Bance, Danny Beales, Julia Buckley, Sam Carling, Claire Coutinho, Harriet Cross, Vicky Foxcroft, Lloyd Hatton, Pippa Heylings, Justin Madders, Gregor Poynton, Mr Connor Rand, Michael Shanks, Bradley Thomas, Catherine West, Sir Gavin Williamson and Claire Young
21Sixth Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Procurement (Amendment) Regulations 2026)
Chair: Derek Twigg
Members: Dan Aldridge, Feryal Clark, Deirdre Costigan, Pam Cox, Charlie Dewhirst, Dr Allison Gardner, Jodie Gosling, Louise Haigh, Paul Holmes, Imran Hussain, Naushabah Khan, Helen Maguire, Dr Andrew Murrison, Peter Prinsley, Lisa Smart, Chris Ward and Mike Wood
Select Committees: Reports
22Armed Forces Bill (Select Committee on)
Armed Forces Bill 2026: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 1712) (Clive Efford).
23Energy Security and Net Zero Committee
The cost of energy: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 736) (Bill Esterson).
24Environmental Audit Committee
(1) Peatlands: natural and environmental benefits and impacts: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 1731);
(2) Addressing the risks from Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS): Written evidence, to be published (HC 852)
(Mr Toby Perkins).
25Northern Ireland Affairs Committee
(1) Work of the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 359);
(2) Correspondence from the Minister for Digital Government and Data relating to the Digital Economy Act 2017: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Economic growth in Northern Ireland: new and emerging sectors: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1193);
(4) Local growth fund: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1415)
(Tonia Antoniazzi).
(1) Electronic voting: Written evidence, to be published (HC 710);
(2) Sub judice resolution in the House of Commons: Written evidence, to be published (HC 933);
(3) Written parliamentary questions: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1526)
(Cat Smith).
27Science, Innovation and Technology Committee
(1) Innovation showcase: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 523);
(2) Scientific research funding: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 1741);
(3) Correspondence relating to scientific innovation: Written evidence, to be published;
(4) Data security across government: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1537);
(5) Social media age restrictions: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1710)
(Dame Chi Onwurah).
(1) GB Energy and the net zero transition: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 459);
(2) Securing Scotland’s future: Defence skills and jobs: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1442)
(Patricia Ferguson).
29Statutory Instruments (Joint Committee on)
Fiftieth Report, to be printed, with the formal minutes relating to the Report (HC 291-L) (Sir Bernard Jenkin).
Supercharging the EV transition: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 1593) (Ruth Cadbury).
(1) Financial Inclusion Strategy: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 1552);
(2) Mutuals: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1649);
(3) Work of HM Treasury: Written evidence, to be published (HC 687)
(Dame Meg Hillier).
32Women and Equalities Committee
(1) Egg donation and freezing: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 1503);
(2) Black homelessness: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1505);
(3) Work of the Social Mobility Commission: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1373)
(Sarah Owen).
(1) Carer's benefits beyond the Sayce Review: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 1744);
(2) Correspondence from the Secretary of State for Education relating to the Schools White Paper and SEND Consultation: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Correspondence relating to the presentation of skills in the Main Estimate following a Machinery of Government change: Written evidence, to be published;
(4) Transition to State Pension age: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1482);
(5) Youth employment, education and training: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1585)
(Debbie Abrahams).
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))
Motion made and Question proposed, That this House has considered NHS capital spending.—(Bobby Dean.)
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 11 am, the Motion lapsed (Standing Order No. 10(6)).
2Work Capability Assessment timescales
Resolved, That this House has considered Work Capability Assessment timescales.—(Wendy Chamberlain.)
The sitting was suspended between 11.30 am and 2.30 pm (Standing Order No. 10(1)(b)).
3Government policy on NATO and the High Arctic
Resolved, That this House has considered Government policy on NATO and the High Arctic.—(Alex Ballinger.)
The sitting was suspended between 3.34 pm and 4 pm.
4Scotland’s contribution to energy security and net zero
Resolved, That this House has considered Scotland’s contribution to energy security and net zero.—(Susan Murray.)
Motion made and Question proposed, That this House has considered healthcare in rural areas.—(Blake Stephenson.)
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 5.30 pm, the Motion lapsed (Standing Order No. 10(14)).
Sitting adjourned without Question put (Standing Order No. 10(14)).
Adjourned at 5.30 pm until tomorrow.
Ms Nusrat Ghani
Chairman of Ways and Means
Papers Laid
Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution
1Financial Services and Markets
(1) Draft Capital Requirements Regulation (Market Risk Transitional Provision) Regulations 2026 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Lucy Rigby)
(2) Draft Credit Institutions and Investment Firms (Miscellaneous Definitions) (Amendment) Regulations 2026 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Lucy Rigby)
Papers subject to Negative Resolution
Corporation Tax (Treatment of Unrelieved Surplus Advance Corporation Tax) (Amendment) Regulations 2026 (SI, 2026, No. 196), dated 2 March 2026 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Dan Tomlinson)
Requirement to Assist with Certain Plan Making (Prescribed Public Bodies) (England) Regulations 2026 (SI, 2026, No. 188), dated 3 March 2026 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Matthew Pennycook)
(1) National Health Service (Travel Expenses and Remission of Charges, Ophthalmic Services, and Optical Charges and Payments) (Amendment) Regulations 2026 (SI, 2026, No. 205), dated 2 March 2026 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Dr Zubir Ahmed)
(2) National Health Service Commissioning Board and Clinical Commissioning Groups (Responsibilities and Standing Rules) (Amendment) Regulations 2026 (SI, 2026, No. 207), dated 3 March 2026 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Stephen Kinnock)
(1) Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 (Local Planning) (Modification and Consequential Amendments) (England) Regulations 2026 (SI, 2026, No. 170), dated 3 March 2026 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Matthew Pennycook)
(2) Town and Country Planning (Costs of Independent Examinations for Local Planning etc.) (Standard Daily Amount) (England) Regulations 2026 (SI, 2026, No. 187), dated 3 March 2026 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Matthew Pennycook)
(3) Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2026 (SI, 2026, No. 186), dated 3 March 2026 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Matthew Pennycook)
Other papers
Report by the Comptroller and Auditor General on Cross-government: Update on government shared services (by Act), to be printed (HC 1718) (Clerk of the House)
Explanatory Memorandum to the draft Aviation Safety (Amendment) Regulations 2026 (Secretary Heidi Alexander)
Agreement, done at Ljubljana on 31 March and 1 April 2021, between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Republic of Slovenia on the Termination of the Agreement between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of the Republic of Slovenia for the Promotion and Protection of Investments, done at Ljubljana on 3 July 1996 (by Command) (CP 1531) (Secretary Yvette Cooper)
Withdrawn papers
Explanatory Memorandum to the draft Aviation Safety (Amendment) Regulations 2026 (laid 24 February)
CORRECTION
Tuesday 3 March 2026
The following item should have appeared after item 30 (Select Committee Reports):
Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee
(1) The work of the Cabinet Office: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 463);
(2) Correspondence from the Minister for Safeguarding and Violence Against Women and Girls relating to the geographic scope of the Independent Inquiry into Grooming Gangs: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Correspondence from the Secretary of State for Transport relating to the publication of four Common Frameworks: Written evidence, to be published;
(4) Inquiry into the recommendations of the Infected Blood Inquiry (Stage 1): Written evidence, to be published (HC 1566)
(Simon Hoare).