Contents
Chamber business
The House met at 11.30 am.
Prayers
1Questions to the Chancellor of the Exchequer
2Motor Vehicle Tests (Diesel Particulate Filters) Bill: Presentation (Standing Order No. 57)
Mr Barry Sheerman, supported by Geraint Davies, Wera Hobhouse, Clive Efford, Dr Philippa Whitford, Christine Jardine, Matt Western, Sir Robert Goodwill and Caroline Lucas, presented a Bill to set standards as to the emissions particulate sensing technology to be used in roadworthiness tests for diesel vehicles; and for connected purposes.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 24 March 2023, and to be printed (Bill 189).
3Independent Adviser on Ministers’ Interests (Appointment by Parliament) Bill: Presentation (Standing Order No. 57)
Christine Jardine, supported by Ed Davey, Daisy Cooper and Wendy Chamberlain, presented a Bill to make provision about the appointment by Parliament of an Independent Adviser on Ministers’ Interests; and for connected purposes.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 9 December, and to be printed (Bill 188).
4Tax Reform Commission: Motion for leave to bring in a Bill (Standing Order No. 23)
Ordered, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to establish a commission to assess the differential impact of the tax system in the UK on different groups of people; to require that commission to make recommendations for reform of the tax system; and for connected purposes;
That Liz Saville Roberts, Hywel Williams, Ben Lake, Alison Thewliss, Bell Ribeiro-Addy, Caroline Lucas, Claire Hanna, Clive Lewis and Stephen Farry present the Bill.
Liz Saville Roberts accordingly presented the Bill.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 24 March 2023, and to be printed (Bill 190).
5Business of the House (Today)
Ordered, That,
(1) notwithstanding the provisions of Standing Order No. 14(2) (Arrangement of public business) in respect of precedence, today’s sitting shall be treated as an allotted day at the disposal of the Leader of the Official Opposition under paragraph (2) of Standing Order No. 14; and
(2) the Speaker shall put the Question on the motion for an humble Address in the name of the Prime Minister no later than one hour after the commencement of proceedings on this motion; and such Questions shall include the Questions on any Amendments selected by the Speaker which may then be moved.—(Mr Marcus Jones.)
Resolved, nemine contradicente, That an humble Address be presented to His Majesty to return thanks to His Majesty for His most gracious message regarding including HRH The Princess Royal and HRH The Earl of Wessex and Forfar among those who may be called upon to act as Counsellors of State under the terms of the Regency Acts 1937 to 1953, and to assure His Majesty that this House will provide such measures as may appear necessary or expedient for securing the purpose set out by His Majesty.—(Oliver Dowden.)
7Opposition Day: Leader of the Opposition (8th allotted day (Standing Order No. 14 and Order, today))
(1) Management of the economy and ministerial severance payments
Resolved, That this House censures the former Prime Minister, the Rt Hon Member for South West Norfolk, and the former Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Rt Hon Member for Spelthorne, for their mismanagement of the economy while in office, which has resulted in an average increase of £500 per month in mortgage payments for families across the UK; and believes that, if they have not already done so, both Rt Hon Members should waive at least £6,000 of their ministerial severance payments.—(Lisa Nandy.)
(2) Securing Britain’s industrial future
Motion made and Question proposed, That this House condemns the Government for its lack of policy on British industry including the steel, automotive and shipbuilding sectors; regrets that after 12 years of Conservative Government, the UK has the lowest levels of business investment in the G7; recognises the large number of high-quality jobs created by British industry, as well as its importance to achieving the UK’s net zero targets; calls on the Government to recognise the unique challenges and opportunities in each of these sectors; and therefore further calls on the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy to urgently bring forward plans to ensure these sectors are supported and to avert job losses that will have a devastating impact on communities and the wider economy.—(Bill Esterson.)
The Deputy Speaker announced a time limit on backbench speeches (Standing Order No. 47(1)).
Question put and agreed to.
Resolved, That this House condemns the Government for its lack of policy on British industry including the steel, automotive and shipbuilding sectors; regrets that after 12 years of Conservative Government, the UK has the lowest levels of business investment in the G7; recognises the large number of high-quality jobs created by British industry, as well as its importance to achieving the UK’s net zero targets; calls on the Government to recognise the unique challenges and opportunities in each of these sectors; and therefore further calls on the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy to urgently bring forward plans to ensure these sectors are supported and to avert job losses that will have a devastating impact on communities and the wider economy.
8Statutory Instruments: Motions for Approval
(1) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Subsidy Control (Subsidies and Schemes of Interest or Particular Interest) Regulations 2022, which were laid before this House on 20 October, be approved.—(Amanda Solloway.)
Question agreed to.
(2) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the Energy Bill Relief Scheme Regulations 2022 (SI, 2022, No. 1100), dated 27 October 2022, which were laid before this House on 31 October, be approved.—(Amanda Solloway.)
Question agreed to.
(3) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the Energy Bill Relief Scheme (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2022 (SI, 2022, No. 1106), dated 27 October 2022, a copy of which was laid before this House on 31 October, be approved.—(Amanda Solloway.)
Question agreed to.
(4) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the Energy Prices (Domestic Supply) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2022 (SI, 2022, No. 1105), dated 27 October 2022, a copy of which was laid before this House on 31 October, be approved.—(Amanda Solloway.)
Question agreed to.
(5) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Social Workers (Amendment and Transitional Provision) Regulations 2022, which were laid before this House on 17 October, be approved.—(Amanda Solloway.)
Question agreed to.
(6) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Inter-American Investment Corporation (Immunities and Privileges) Order 2022, which was laid before this House on 11 October, be approved.—(Amanda Solloway.)
Question agreed to.
(7) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) (Amendment) (No. 15) Regulations 2022 (SI, 2022, No. 1110), dated 26 October 2022, a copy of which was laid before this House on 28 October, be approved.—(Amanda Solloway.)
Question agreed to.
(8) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Financial Services (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2022, which were laid before this House on 17 October, be approved.—(Amanda Solloway.)
Question agreed to.
9Changes to membership of select committees
(1) Ordered, That Felicity Buchan be discharged from the Committee of Public Accounts and James Cartlidge and Mrs Flick Drummond be added.—(Sir Bill Wiggin, on behalf of the Committee of Selection.)
(2) Ordered, That Victoria Atkins be discharged from the Women and Equalities Committee and Rachel Maclean be added.—(Sir Bill Wiggin, on behalf of the Committee of Selection.)
A public petition from residents of Immingham relating to the planned closure of Lloyds Banking Group’s Immingham branch was presented and read by Martin Vickers.
Subject: Potential merits of enabling the public to call a General Election (Richard Burgon)
Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Amanda Solloway.)
Adjourned at 7.27 pm until tomorrow.
Other Proceedings
Changes to Notices Given
12General Election (Date) Bill
Order for Second Reading on Friday 18 November, read and discharged.
General Committees: Reports
13Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Bill
Laurence Robertson (Chair) reported written evidence submitted to the Committee.
Written evidence, to be published.
14Fourth Delegated Legislation Committee
Sir George Howarth (Chair) reported the draft European University Institute (EU Exit) Regulations 2022.
15Fifth Delegated Legislation Committee
Mrs Sheryll Murray (Chair) reported the draft Pensions Dashboards Regulations 2022.
16Sixth Delegated Legislation Committee
Judith Cummins (Chair) reported the draft Police and Crime Commissioner Elections (Amendment) Order 2022 and the draft Assistance with Voting for Persons with Disabilities (Amendments) 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).
17Seventh Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Cessation of EU Law Relating to Prohibitions on Grounds of Nationality and Free Movement of Persons Regulations 2022)
Members: Kirsty Blackman and Anthony Browne discharged and Gareth Bacon and Stuart C McDonald nominated in substitution.
18Ninth Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Immigration Skills Charge (Amendment) Regulations 2022)
Members: Robert Jenrick discharged and Miss Sarah Dines nominated in substitution.
Select Committees: Reports
19Backbench Business Committee
Transcript of representations made on Tuesday 15 November, to be published (Ian Mearns).
20Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee
(1) Post-pandemic economic growth: UK labour markets: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 306);
(2) Decarbonisation of the power sector: Written evidence, to be published (HC 283);
(3) Correspondence from the Secretary of State for Transport relating to the Seafarers’ Wages Bill [Lords]: Written evidence, to be published
(Darren Jones).
21Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee
(1) What next for the National Lottery?: Fourth Report, to be printed, with the formal minutes relating to the Report (HC 154);
(2) Economics of music streaming: follow-up: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 874)
(Julian Knight).
22Draft Mental Health Bill (Joint Committee on)
Draft Mental Health Bill: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 696) (Sir Charles Walker).
Careers education, information, advice and guidance: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 54) (Ian Mearns).
24Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
(1) Environmental Land Management Scheme: Progress update: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 621);
(2) Marine mammals: Written evidence, to be published (HC 697);
(3) Sealife mortality off the north east coast: Written evidence, to be published (HC 796)
(Sir Robert Goodwill).
The UK’s new relationship with the EU: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 120) (Sir William Cash).
Update to the UK’s Integrated Review of Security, Defence, Development and Foreign policy: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 882) (Alicia Kearns).
27Health and Social Care Committee
(1) Digital transformation in the NHS: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 223);
(2) Correspondence with the Secretary of State relating to the cancer plan: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Correspondence with the Secretary of State relating to First Do No Harm follow-up: Written evidence, to be published;
(4) Expert Panel: Evaluation of Government commitments made on the digitisation of the NHS: Written evidence, to be published (HC 780)
(Steve Brine).
28International Development Committee
(1) UK aid for refugee host countries: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 426);
(2) Correspondence from the Minister for Development relating to the Global Fund: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Correspondence with the Secretary of State relating to hunger in the Horn of Africa: Written evidence, to be published
(Sarah Champion).
The future of legal aid: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 665) (Sir Robert Neill).
30Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee
(1) Lobbying and Influence: post-legislative scrutiny of the Lobbying Act 2014 and related matters: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 638);
(2) Correspondence with the Chief Executive of the Electoral Commission relating to the Electoral Commission’s political finance system: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman Scrutiny 2021–22: Written evidence, to be published (HC 745)
(Mr William Wragg).
Work of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards: Part of the oral evidence, to be published (HC 881) (Chris Bryant).
Correspondence from the Secretary of State relating to the Seafarers’ Wages Bill: Written evidence, to be published (Mr Ben Bradshaw).
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))
Resolved, That this House has considered local consent for fracking.—(Helen Morgan.)
The sitting was suspended between 10.30 am and 11.00 am.
2Contribution of the mathematical sciences to society
Resolved, That this House has considered the contribution of the mathematical sciences to society.—(Sir Stephen Timms.)
The sitting was suspended between 11.28 am and 2.30 pm (Standing Order No. 10(1)(b)).
3Potential UK support for investigations into the Bhopal gas explosion
Resolved, That this House has considered the matter of potential UK support for investigations into the Bhopal gas explosion.—(Navendu Mishra.)
The sitting was suspended between 3.34 pm and 4.00 pm.
4Housing targets and the planning system
Resolved, That this House has considered housing targets and the planning system.—(Gordon Henderson.)
5Strategic importance of the North Wales main line
Resolved, That this House has considered the strategic importance of the North Wales main line.—(Robin Millar.)
Sitting adjourned without Question put (Standing Order No. 10(14)).
Adjourned at 5.09 pm until tomorrow.
Eleanor Laing
Chairman of Ways and Means
Papers Laid
Papers subject to Negative Resolution
Stamp Duty Land Tax (Service of Documents) Regulations 2022 (SI, 2022, No. 1185), dated 14 November 2022 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Victoria Atkins)
Subsidy Control (Gross Cash Amount and Gross Cash Equivalent) Regulations 2022 (SI, 2022, No. 1186), dated 14 November 2022 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Grant Shapps)
Other papers
3European Union (Withdrawal Agreement)
Report and Accounts of the Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens’ Rights Agreements for 2021–22, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (by Act), to be printed (HC 788) (Secretary Dominic Raab)
4Foreign, Commonwealth and Development
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Departmental Minute, dated 15 November 2022, concerning the notification of a contingent liability regarding Just Energy Transition Guarantee – Indonesia (by Command) (Andrew Mitchell)
Report by the Comptroller and Auditor General on Health and Social Care and NHS England: Managing NHS backlogs and waiting times in England (by Act), to be printed (HC 799) (Clerk of the House)
Government Indemnity Scheme: Statement to Parliament on the level of outstanding liabilities under the Scheme for the six-month period ending 30 September 2022 (by Act) (Stuart Andrew)
Decision No. 1/2022 of the UK-Israel Joint Committee established by the Trade and Partnership Agreement between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of the State of Israel, done on 9 November 2022, for the modification of Protocol 4 to the Trade and Partnership Agreement between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of the State of Israel (by Command) (CP 752) (Secretary James Cleverly)
SPEAKER’S CERTIFICATES
Voting by proxy
The Speaker has certified, under the terms of Standing Order No. 39A (Voting by proxy), that Ms Diane Abbott is eligible to have a proxy vote cast on her behalf, starting from 16 November and finishing on 30 April 2023. The nominated proxy is Bell Ribeiro-Addy.
The Speaker has certified, under the terms of Standing Order No. 39A (Voting by proxy), that John Nicolson is eligible to have a proxy vote cast on his behalf, starting on 16 November and finishing on 31 March 2023. On 16 November only, the nominated proxy is Richard Thomson, after which it will be Owen Thompson.
2Variation of proxy voting arrangement
The Speaker has certified, under the terms of Standing Order No. 39A (Voting by proxy), that Amy Callaghan and Allan Dorans have given notice that they wish to vary their proxy vote arrangements. On 16 November only, their nominated proxy will be Richard Thomson, after which it will again be Owen Thompson.