Contents
Chamber business
The House met at 11.30 am.
Prayers
1Questions to (1) the President of COP26
(2) the Prime Minister
2Benefit Cap (Report on Abolition) Bill: Presentation (Standing Order No. 57)
David Linden presented a Bill to require the Secretary of State to report to Parliament on the likely effects of the abolition of the benefit cap, including on levels of absolute and relative poverty, poor mental health, food bank use, borrowing of money from friends and family, evictions from homes and problem debt, and on different groups including women, lone parents and people from Black and minority ethnic backgrounds; and for connected purposes.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 18 March, and to be printed (Bill 264).
3Firearms and Hate Crime: Motion for leave to bring in a Bill (Standing Order No. 23)
Ordered, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to prohibit the keeping of pump action firearms in homes, with exemptions for professional pest controllers and farmers; to make provision about medical requirements for holders of firearms certificates; to make provision about the disclosure of mental health concerns relating to holders of firearms certificates; to extend offences of stirring up hatred to cover hatred on the basis of sex or gender; to make motivation by misogyny an aggravating factor in sentencing for violent crimes; and for connected purposes;
That Luke Pollard, Johnny Mercer, Sir Gary Streeter, Mrs Sheryll Murray, Mr Ben Bradshaw, Abena Oppong-Asare, Karin Smyth, Caroline Lucas, Alyn Smith, Alex Sobel, Valerie Vaz and Anne Marie Morris present the Bill.
Luke Pollard accordingly presented the Bill.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 18 March, and to be printed (Bill 265).
4Opposition Day: Leader of the Opposition (14th allotted day (Standing Order No. 14))
(1) Tackling violence against women and girls
Resolved, That this House condemns the Government for failing to take sufficient action to tackle the epidemic of violence against women and girls and for presiding over a fall in the rape charge rate to a record low; and therefore calls on the Government to increase the number of specialist rape and serious sexual offences units, improve police training to secure better outcomes for victims, introduce effective national management and monitoring of domestic abuse and sexual offenders and urgently publish the perpetrator strategy in full.—(Yvette Cooper.)
The Deputy Speaker announced the results of the Divisions which had been deferred to this day (Standing Order No. 41A).
(1) That the draft Social Security (Contributions) (Rates, Limits and Thresholds Amendments and National Insurance Funds Payments) Regulations 2022, which were laid before this House on 17 January, be approved.
Division No. 204
Ayes: 302
Noes: 1
Question accordingly agreed to.
(2) That the draft Tax Credits, Child Benefit and Guardian's Allowance Up-rating Regulations 2022, which were laid before this House on 17 January, be approved.
Division No. 205
Ayes: 303
Noes: 11
Question accordingly agreed to.
6Opposition Day: Leader of the Opposition (14th allotted day (Standing Order No. 14)) (resumed)
(2) Support for Ukraine and countering threats from Russia
Motion made and Question proposed, That this House condemns Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine; stands in solidarity with Ukrainians in their resistance to Russia's invasion of their sovereign state; supports the UK providing further defensive military, humanitarian and other assistance to Ukraine; recognises the importance of international unity against Russian state aggression; and calls on the Government to ensure that the UK's NATO defence and security obligations are fulfilled to counter the threats from Russia.—(John Healey.)
The Deputy Speaker announced a time limit on backbench speeches (Standing Order No. 47(1)).
Resolved, That this House condemns Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine; stands in solidarity with Ukrainians in their resistance to Russia's invasion of their sovereign state; supports the UK providing further defensive military, humanitarian and other assistance to Ukraine; recognises the importance of international unity against Russian state aggression; and calls on the Government to ensure that the UK's NATO defence and security obligations are fulfilled to counter the threats from Russia.
7Statutory Instruments: Motions for Approval
Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Airports Slot Allocation (Alleviation of Usage Requirements) Regulations 2022, which were laid before this House on 24 January, be approved.—(Gareth Johnson.)
Question agreed to.
Ordered, That, at this day's sitting, Standing Order No. 41A (Deferred divisions) shall not apply to the Motion in the name of Mark Spencer relating to Estimates (Liaison Committee Recommendation).—(Gareth Johnson.)
9Estimates (Liaison Committee Recommendation)
Resolved, That this House agrees with the Report of the Liaison Committee of 1 March: That a day not later than 18 March be allotted for the consideration of the following Estimates for financial year 2021-22: Department for Education, insofar as it relates to the National Tutoring Programme and Adult Education; and Ministry of Defence.—(Gareth Johnson.)
Subject: Effectiveness of the Vaccine Damage Payments Act 1979 (Sir Christopher Chope)
Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Gareth Johnson.)
Adjourned at 7.29 pm until tomorrow.
Other Proceedings
Changes to Notices Given
11Education Employment (Accompaniment to Hearings) Bill
Order for Second Reading on Friday 18 March, read and discharged.
Bill withdrawn.
General Committees: Reports
12Fourth Delegated Legislation Committee
Christina Rees (Chair) reported the draft Social Security (Scotland) Act 2018 (Disability Assistance and Information-Sharing) (Consequential Provision and Modifications) Order 2022.
13Fifth Delegated Legislation Committee
Sir Gary Streeter (Chair) reported the draft Genetically Modified Organisms (Deliberate Release) (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2022.
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).
14Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Bill Committee
Members: Simon Baynes, Saqib Bhatti, Steve Double, Ruth Edwards, Chris Elmore, James Grundy, Sally-Ann Hart, Kate Hollern, Rebecca Long Bailey, Julia Lopez, Navendu Mishra, Damien Moore, Charlotte Nichols, Kate Osborne, Mr Shailesh Vara, David Warburton and Mick Whitley
15First Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Scotland Act 2016 (Social Security) (Adult Disability Payment and Child Disability Payment) (Amendment) Regulations 2022)
Members: Rushanara Ali, Gareth Bacon, Mr John Baron, Mhairi Black, David Duguid, Vicky Foxcroft, Gareth Johnson, Barbara Keeley, Robert Largan, David Linden, Jack Lopresti, Navendu Mishra, Robbie Moore, Bell Ribeiro-Addy, Chloe Smith, Jane Stevenson and Martin Vickers
16Second Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Energy Performance of Buildings (England and Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2022)
Members: Nickie Aiken, Duncan Baker, Paul Blomfield, Steve Brine, Sarah Champion, Elliot Colburn, John Cryer, Miss Sarah Dines, Rosie Duffield, Colleen Fletcher, Eddie Hughes, Matthew Pennycook, Alec Shelbrooke, Alexander Stafford, Jon Trickett, Matt Vickers and James Wild
17Third Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Human Medicines (Coronavirus and Influenza) (Amendment) Regulations 2022 and the draft Human Medicines (Amendments Relating to the Early Access to Medicines Scheme) Regulations 2022)
Members: Edward Argar, Steven Bonnar, Ben Bradley, Chris Bryant, Dr James Davies, Steve Double, Katherine Fletcher, Lilian Greenwood, Andrew Gwynne, Luke Hall, Stephen Hammond, Robert Jenrick, Ian Levy, Steve McCabe, Kate Osamor, Lloyd Russell-Moyle and David Simmonds
18Fourth Delegated Legislation Committee (Customs (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2022 (SI, 2022, No. 109))
Members: Mr Steve Baker, Andrew Bridgen, Sara Britcliffe, Claire Coutinho, Geraint Davies, Clive Efford, Lucy Frazer, James Grundy, Antony Higginbotham, Dame Meg Hillier, Darren Jones, Mrs Pauline Latham, Craig Mackinlay, Alan Mak, James Murray, Ms Anum Qaisar and Liz Twist
19Fifth Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Genetically Modified Organisms (Deliberate Release) (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2022)
Members: Mark Menzies discharged and Damien Moore nominated in substitution.
20Sixth Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Flood Reinsurance (Amendment) Regulations 2022)
Members: Ms Diane Abbott, Sarah Atherton, Simon Baynes, Crispin Blunt, Richard Burgon, Miss Sarah Dines, Martin Docherty-Hughes, Mary Kelly Foy, Mary Glindon, Kevin Hollinrake, Daniel Kawczynski, Robin Millar, Jesse Norman, Rebecca Pow, Selaine Saxby, Alex Sobel and Nadia Whittome
21Seventh Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Combined Authorities (Borrowing) Regulations 2022)
Members: Mike Amesbury, Stuart Anderson, Mr Richard Bacon, Alun Cairns, Tracey Crouch, Janet Daby, Mark Eastwood, Colleen Fletcher, Adam Holloway, Danny Kruger, Tony Lloyd, Grahame Morris, Charlotte Nichols, Neil O'Brien, Dr Dan Poulter, Michael Tomlinson and Mohammad Yasin
22Eighth Delegated Legislation Committee (draft National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Regulations 2022)
Members: Bim Afolami, Paul Bristow, Dr Luke Evans, Mark Fletcher, Chris Green, Lilian Greenwood, Mr Richard Holden, Kate Hollern, Dame Diana Johnson, Gareth Johnson, Mr Kevan Jones, Justin Madders, Mark Pawsey, Paul Scully, Chris Stephens, Suzanne Webb and Beth Winter
Reports from Select Committees
* This item has been corrected since publication. See the Votes and Proceedings from Thursday 3 March 2022 for details.
23Environmental Audit Committee
(1) Aligning UK economic goals with environmental sustainability: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 849);
(2) Biodiversity and ecosystems: Written evidence, to be published (HC 136);
(3) Sustainability of the built environment: Written evidence, to be published (HC 76)
(Philip Dunne).
Retained EU law: Where next?: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 1113) (Sir William Cash).
(1) State of the fire and rescue services: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 1168);
(2) Drugs: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1128);
(3) Spiking: Written evidence, to be published (HC 967)
(Dame Diana Johnson).
26International Trade Committee
(1) UK trade negotiations: Agreement with Australia: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 1002);
(2) Correspondence from the Chair of the Trade Remedies Authority relating to publication of a statement of essential facts on wire rod anti-dumping measures: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Trade and foreign policy: Written evidence, to be published (HC 949);
(4) Trade and the environment: Written evidence, to be published (HC 975);
(5) UK trade approach towards developing countries: Written evidence, to be published (HC 976);
(6) UK trade negotiations: Agreement with India: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1037);
(7) UK trade negotiations: CPTPP accession: Written evidence, to be published (HC 929)
(Angus Brendan MacNeil).
Correspondence from the Prime Minister relating to his appearance before the Committee on 17 November 2021: Written evidence, to be published (HC 835) (Sir Bernard Jenkin).
28Northern Ireland Affairs Committee
(1) The experience of minority ethnic and migrant people in Northern Ireland: Second Report, to be printed, with the formal minutes relating to the Report (HC 159);
(2) Compensation for victims of Gaddafi-sponsored IRA attacks: Written evidence, to be published (HC 162);
(3) Northern Ireland Office Supplementary Estimates Memorandum 2021–22: Written evidence, to be published
(Simon Hoare).
29Public Accounts (Committee of)
Supporting local economic growth: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 1054) (Dame Meg Hillier).
30Science and Technology Committee
(1) UK science, research and technology capability and influence in global disease outbreaks: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 93);
(2) Biometrics and forensics: follow-up: Written evidence, to be published (HC 467);
(3) Reproducibility and research integrity: Written evidence, to be published (HC 606);
(4) UK space strategy and UK satellite infrastructure: Written evidence, to be published (HC 98)
(Greg Clark).
31Statutory Instruments (Joint Committee on)
Twenty-sixth Report, to be printed, with the formal minutes relating to the Report (HC 56-xxvi) (Jessica Morden).
Fuelling the future: motive power and connectivity: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 973) (Huw Merriman).
Future of financial services: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 147) (Mel Stride).
Wales Office Supplementary Estimate Memorandum 2021–22: Written evidence, to be published (Ben Lake).
35Women and Equalities Committee
(1) Levelling up and equalities: one-off session: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 1170);
(2) Equality and the UK asylum process: Written evidence, to be published (HC 726);
(3) Menopause and the workplace: Written evidence, to be published (HC 115)
(Caroline Nokes).
(1) Universal Credit and childcare costs: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 871);
(2) Correspondence with the Secretary of State relating to Statutory Sick Pay: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Department for Work and Pensions Supplementary Estimate Memorandum 2021-22: Written evidence, to be published;
(4) Health and Safety Executive's approach to asbestos management: Written evidence, to be published (HC 560)
(Stephen Timms).
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))
1Effect of remediation works on residents in high rise buildings
Resolved, That this House has considered the effect of remediation works on residents in high rise buildings.—(Tom Hunt.)
The sitting was suspended between 10.45 am and 11.00 am.
2Addition of a Centre for Food to the What Works Network
Resolved, That this House has considered the addition of a Centre for Food to the What Works Network.—(Alex Norris.)
The sitting was suspended between 11.22 am and 2.30 pm (Standing Order No. 10(1)(b)).
3Regional inequalities and child poverty
Motion made and Question proposed, That this House has considered regional inequalities and child poverty.—(Liz Twist.)
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 4.00 pm, the Motion lapsed (Standing Order No. 10(6)).
4Prison-based addiction treatment pathways
Resolved, That this House has considered prison-based addiction treatment pathways.—(Dan Carden.)
5Funding of the Westminster Foundation for Democracy
Resolved, That this House has considered the funding of the Westminster Foundation for Democracy—(Richard Graham.)
Sitting adjourned without Question put (Standing Order No. 10(14)).
Adjourned at 5.27 pm until tomorrow.
Eleanor Laing
Chairman of Ways and Means
Papers Laid
Papers subject to Negative Resolution
Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education, Children’s Services and Skills (Fees and Frequency of Inspections) (Children’s Homes etc.) (Amendment) Regulations 2022 (SI, 2022, No. 196), dated 28 February 2022 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Will Quince)
Oil and Gas Authority (Levy and Fees) Regulations 2022 (SI, 2022, No. 204), dated 28 February 2022 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng)
Other papers
Explanatory Memorandum to the Milk and Milk Products (Pupils in Educational Establishments) Aid Applications (England and Scotland) Regulations 2022 (SI, 2022, No. 160) (by Command) (Secretary George Eustice)
4Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, dated 2 March 2022, concerning notification of a contingent liability in relation to Energy Supply Company Special Administration Regime Bulb Energy Limited (by Command) (Greg Hands)
(1) Draft Code of Practice for Landlords: Avoiding unlawful discrimination when conducting 'right to rent' checks in the private rented residential sector (by Act) (Secretary Priti Patel)
(2) Draft Code of Practice on Right to Rent: Civil penalty scheme for landlords and their agents (by Act) (Secretary Priti Patel)
6Immigration, Asylum and Nationality
(1) Draft Code of Practice for Employers: Avoiding unlawful discrimination while preventing illegal working (by Act) (Secretary Priti Patel)
(2) Draft Code of Practice on preventing illegal working: Civil penalty scheme for employers (by Act) (Secretary Priti Patel)
Withdrawn papers
Explanatory Memorandum to the Milk and Milk Products (Pupils in Educational Establishments) Aid Applications (England and Scotland) Regulations 2022 (SI, 2022, No. 160) (laid 21 February 2022)