Contents
Chamber business
This document has been corrected since publication. See the correction in the Votes and Proceedings relating to Wednesday 14 December 2022.
The House met at 2.30 pm.
Prayers
Samantha Kate Dixon, Member for the City of Chester, made the Affirmation required by law.
2Questions to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions
The Speaker suspended the sitting until 3.30 pm.
4Online Safety Bill: Programme (No. 3)
Ordered, That the Order of 12 July (Online Safety Bill: Programme (No. 2)) be varied as follows—
(1) In paragraph (2), the words “and Third Reading” shall be omitted.
(2) In paragraph (3), in the second column of the Table, for “6.00 pm” substitute “9.00 pm”.
(3) Paragraph (4) of the Order shall be omitted.
(4) No order shall be made for Third Reading of the Bill until the motion in the name of Secretary Michelle Donelan relating to Online Safety Bill: Programme (No. 4) has been disposed of.—(Paul Scully.)
5Online Safety Bill: Consideration (2nd allocated day)
New Clause NC11—(Paul Scully)—brought up, read the first and second time, and added to the Bill.
New Clause NC12—(Paul Scully)—brought up, read the first and second time, and added to the Bill.
New Clause NC20—(Paul Scully)—brought up, read the first and second time, and added to the Bill.
New Clause NC40—(Paul Scully)—brought up, read the first and second time, and added to the Bill.
New Clause NC42—(Paul Scully)—brought up, read the first and second time, and added to the Bill.
New Clause NC43—(Paul Scully)—brought up, read the first and second time, and added to the Bill.
New Clause NC44—(Paul Scully)—brought up, read the first and second time, and added to the Bill.
New Clause NC51—(Paul Scully)—brought up, read the first and second time, and added to the Bill.
New Clause NC52—(Paul Scully)—brought up, read the first and second time, and added to the Bill.
New Clause NC53—(Paul Scully)—brought up, read the first and second time, and added to the Bill.
New Clause NC16—(Mr David Davis)—brought up, and read the first time.
Question put, That the Clause be read a second time.
The House divided.
Division No. 107
Ayes: 242 (Tellers: Navendu Mishra, Mary Glindon)
Noes: 308 (Tellers: Fay Jones, Steve Double)
Question accordingly negatived.
As it was after 9.00 pm, the Deputy Speaker put the Questions necessary to bring proceedings on new Clauses, new Schedules and amendments relating to the repeal of Part 4B of the Communications Act 2003, and remaining proceedings on Consideration to a conclusion (Programme Orders, 19 April in the last Session of Parliament, 12 July and today).
The following Questions were put forthwith (Standing Order No. 83E).
(1) That new Clause NC17 be added to the Bill (Question on new Clause selected by the Speaker for separate decision).—(Dame Margaret Hodge.)
The House divided.
Division No. 108
Ayes: 238 (Tellers: Navendu Mishra, Mary Glindon)
Noes: 311 (Tellers: Steve Double, Fay Jones)
Question accordingly negatived.
(2) That new Clause NC28 be added to the Bill (Question on new Clause selected by the Speaker for separate decision).—(John Nicolson.)
The House divided.
Division No. 109
Ayes: 240 (Tellers: Richard Thomson, Marion Fellows)
Noes: 312 (Tellers: Fay Jones, Steve Double)
Question accordingly negatived.
(3) That Amendments 234, 102 to 129, 174, 130 to 134, 212, 213, 135, 214, 175, 176, 239, 138, 240, 215, 241, 242, 217, 218, 243, 219, 244, 245, 220, 221, 140, 246, 222 to 224, 247, 225, 248, 226, 227, 249 to 252, 228, 229 and 235 to 237 be made (single Question on Amendments moved by a Minister of the Crown).—(Paul Scully.)
Question agreed to.
(4) That new Schedules NS2 and NS3 be added to the Bill (single Question on new Schedules moved by a Minister of the Crown).—(Paul Scully.)
Question agreed to.
(5) That Amendments 238, 230, 253 to 261 and 233 be made (single Question on Amendments moved by a Minister of the Crown).—(Paul Scully.)
Question agreed to.
Consideration completed.
6Online Safety Bill: Programme (No. 4)
Motion made and Question put, That the following provisions shall apply to the Online Safety Bill for the purpose of varying and supplementing the Order of 19 April 2022 in the last session of Parliament (Online Safety Bill: Programme) as varied by the Orders of 12 July 2022 (Online Safety Bill: Programme (No. 2)) and today (Online Safety Bill: Programme (No. 3))—
Re-committal
(1) The Bill shall be re-committed to a Public Bill Committee in respect of the following Clauses and Schedules—
(a) in Part 3, Clauses 11 to 14, 17 to 20, 29, 45, 54 and 55 of the Bill as amended in Public Bill Committee;
(b) in Part 4, Clause 64 of, and Schedule 8 to, the Bill as amended in Public Bill Committee;
(c) in Part 7, Clauses 78, 81, 86, 89 and 112 of, and Schedule 11 to, the Bill as amended in Public Bill Committee;
(d) in Part 9, Clause 150 of the Bill as amended in Public Bill Committee;
(e) in Part 11, Clause 161 of the Bill as amended in Public Bill Committee;
(f) in Part 12, Clauses 192, 195 and 196 of the Bill as amended in Public Bill Committee;
(g) New Clause [Repeal of Part 4B of the Communications Act: transitional provision etc], if it has been added to the Bill, and New Schedule [Video-sharing platform services: transitional provision etc], if it has been added to the Bill.
Proceedings in Public Bill Committee on re-committal
(2) Proceedings in the Public Bill Committee on re-committal shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion on Thursday 15 December 2022.
(3) The Public Bill Committee shall have leave to sit twice on the first day on which it meets.
Consideration following re-committal and Third Reading
(4) Proceedings on Consideration following re-committal shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion one hour before the moment of interruption on the day on which those proceedings are commenced.
(5) Proceedings on Third Reading shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion at the moment of interruption on that day.
(6) Standing Order No. 83B (Programming committees) shall not apply to proceedings on Consideration following re-committal.—(Secretary Michelle Donelan.)
The House divided.
Division No. 110
Ayes: 314 (Tellers: Fay Jones, Steve Double)
Noes: 216 (Tellers: Navendu Mishra, Mary Glindon)
Question accordingly agreed to.
7Draft Mental Health Bill (Joint Committee): Instruction
Resolved, That, notwithstanding the Resolution of this House of 11 July, it be an instruction to the Joint Committee on the Draft Mental Health Bill that it should report by 13 January 2023.—(Penny Mordaunt.)
8Statutory Instruments: Motions for Approval
(1) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Prescribed Persons (Reports on Disclosures of Information) (Amendment) Regulations 2022, which were laid before this House on 18 October, be approved.—(Robert Largan.)
Question agreed to.
(2) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Merchant Shipping (Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping) Regulations 2022, which were laid before this House on 31 October, be approved.—(Robert Largan.)
Question agreed to.
(3) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Agricultural Holdings (Fee) Regulations 2022, which were laid before this House on 20 October, be approved.—(Robert Largan.)
The Deputy Speaker’s opinion as to the decision of the Question was challenged.
Division deferred until Wednesday 7 December (Standing Order No. 41A).
(4) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Combined Authorities (Mayoral Elections) (Amendment) Order 2022, which was laid before this House on 3 November, be approved.—(Robert Largan.)
The Deputy Speaker’s opinion as to the decision of the Question was challenged.
Division deferred until Wednesday 7 December (Standing Order No. 41A).
(5) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Local Authorities (Mayoral Elections) (England and Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2022, which were laid before this House on 3 November, be approved.—(Robert Largan.)
The Deputy Speaker’s opinion as to the decision of the Question was challenged.
Division deferred until Wednesday 7 December (Standing Order No. 41A).
(6) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Police and Crime Commissioner Elections and Welsh Forms (Amendment) Order 2022, which was laid before this House on 1 November, be approved.—(Robert Largan.)
The Deputy Speaker’s opinion as to the decision of the Question was challenged.
Division deferred until Wednesday 7 December (Standing Order No. 41A).
(7) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Export Control (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2022, which were laid before this House on 20 October, be approved.—(Robert Largan.)
Question agreed to.
(8) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Internal Markets Information System Regulation (Amendment etc.) Regulations 2021, which were laid before this House on 20 July 2021 in the last Session of Parliament, be approved.—(Robert Largan.)
Question agreed to.
A public petition from residents of the constituency of Rotherham relating to bus services in Rotherham was presented and read by Sarah Champion.
Subject: Government support for the English National Opera and performing arts (Sir Robert Neill)
Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Robert Largan.)
Adjourned at 10.38 pm until tomorrow.
Other Proceedings
Printing of Bills
Bill, as amended on consideration, to be printed (Bill 209).
Lords Messages
12Clean Air (Human Rights) Bill [Lords]
The Lords have passed a Bill to establish the right to breathe clean air; to require the Secretary of State to achieve and maintain clean air in England and Wales; to involve the UK Health Security Agency in setting and reviewing pollutants and their limits; to enhance the powers, duties and functions of various agencies and authorities in relation to air pollution; to establish the Citizens’ Commission for Clean Air with powers to institute or intervene in legal proceedings; to require the Secretary of State and the relevant national authorities to apply environmental principles in carrying out their duties under this Act and the clean air enactments; and for connected purposes, to which they desire the agreement of the Commons.
13Clean Air (Human Rights) Bill [Lords]
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 24 February 2023, and to be printed (Bill 210).
Explanatory Notes to Bills
14Protection from Sex-based Harassment in Public Bill
Explanatory Notes to the Bill to be printed (Bill 20–EN).
Explanatory Notes to the Bill to be printed (Bill 208–EN).
Changes to Notices Given
16Fertility Treatment (Employment Rights) Bill
Order for Second Reading on Friday 9 December, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 20 January 2023.
17Working Time Regulations (Amendment) Bill
Order for Second Reading on Friday 9 December, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 20 January 2023.
18Plastics (Recycling, Sustainability and Pollution Reduction) Bill
Order for Second Reading on Friday 9 December, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 3 February 2023.
General Committees: Reports
19First Delegated Legislation Committee
Stewart Hosie (Chair) reported the draft Animals and Animal Health, Feed and Food, Plants and Plant Health (Amendment) Regulations 2022 and the draft Trade in Animals and Related Products (Amendment and Legislative Functions) Regulations 2022.
20Second Delegated Legislation Committee
Sir Gary Streeter (Chair) reported the Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing (High-Risk Countries) (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations 2022 (SI, 2022, No. 1183).
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).
21First Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Animals and Animal Health, Feed and Food, Plants and Plant Health (Amendment) Regulations 2022 and draft Trade in Animals and Related Products (Amendment and Legislative Functions) Regulations 2022)
Members: Sir Jeremy Wright discharged and Craig Tracey nominated in substitution.
22Second Delegated Legislation Committee (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing (High-Risk Countries) (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations 2022 (SI, 2022, No. 1183))
Members: Damian Collins and Paul Howell discharged and Gareth Johnson and Anthony Mangnall nominated in substitution.
Select Committees: Reports
*This section has been corrected since publication. See the correction in the Votes and Proceedings relating to Tuesday 6 December 2022.
Record of the Committee’s discussions at its meeting on 5 December, to be published (Sir Charles Walker).
24International Development Committee
Correspondence with the Minister for Development relating to the humanitarian situation in Tigray: Written evidence, to be published (Sarah Champion).
25Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Committee
(1) Correspondence from the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman relating to their equal justice report: Written evidence, to be published;
(2) Correspondence from the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Local Government and Building Safety relating to Sandwell Metropolitan Council Commissioners Report: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Correspondence with the Minister for Levelling Up relating to data for funding for levelling up: Written evidence to be published (HC 744);
(4) Correspondence with the Minister of State for Immigration relating to the dispersal of people from the Manston processing site in Kent, and incidences of diphtheria: Written evidence, to be published;
(5) Correspondence with the National Residential Landlords Association relating to enforcement in social housing: Written evidence, to be published (HC 18);
(6) Correspondence with the Secretary of State and the Regulator for Social Housing relating to the regulation of Social Housing: Written evidence, to be published (HC 18);
(7) Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill: Written evidence, to be published (HC 309);
(8) Reforming the Private Rented Sector: Written evidence, to be published (HC 624);
(9) Work of the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities: Written evidence, to be published (HC 808)
(Mr Clive Betts).
26Public Accounts (Committee of)
(1) BEIS Annual Report and Accounts: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 59);
(2) Correspondence from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office relating to a contingent liability: Written evidence to be published;
(3) Correspondence from the Home Office relating to Government’s modern slavery strategy: Written evidence, to be published;
(4) Correspondence relating to Accounting Officer assessments: Written evidence, to be published;
(5) Correspondence relating to the Committee’s previous Reports: Written evidence, to be published;
(6) Correspondence with the Cabinet Office: Written evidence, to be published;
(7) Correspondence with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Written evidence, to be published;
(8) Government actions to combat waste crime: Written evidence, to be published (HC 33);
(9) Introducing integrated care systems: Written evidence, to be published (HC 47);
(10) Management of PPE contracts: Written evidence, to be published (HC 260);
(11) Managing NHS backlogs and waiting times: Written evidence, to be published (HC 729);
(12) Progress combatting fraud: Written evidence, to be published (HC 40)
(Dame Meg Hillier).
(1) Fishing grounds in Scotland: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 864);
(2) Correspondence from the Minister of State for Crime, Policing and Fire relating to firearms licensing regulations in Scotland: Written evidence, to be published (HC 710);
(3) Defence in Scotland: Written evidence, to be published (HC 81)
(Pete Wishart).
Lindsay Hoyle
Speaker
Westminster Hall
The sitting began at 4.30 pm.
Debate on an e-petition (Standing Orders No. 10(1)(a) and No. 145A(7))
1Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill
Resolved, That this House has considered e-petition 619442, relating to the Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill.—(Elliot Colburn.)
Sitting adjourned without Question put (Standing Order No. 10(14)).
Adjourned at 6.38 pm until tomorrow.
Eleanor Laing
Chairman of Ways and Means
Papers Laid
Papers subject to Negative Resolution
(1) Competition Act 1998 (Research and Development Agreements Block Exemption) Order 2022 (SI, 2022, No. 1271), dated 5 December 2022 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Grant Shapps)
(2) Competition Act 1998 (Specialisation Agreements Block Exemption) Order 2022 (SI, 2022, No. 1272), dated 5 December 2022 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Grant Shapps)
Merchant Shipping (Prevention of Oil Pollution and Prevention of Pollution by Sewage from Ships) (Amendment) Regulations 2022 (SI, 2022, No. 1234), dated 1 December 2022 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Mark Harper)
Other papers
Report to the Joint Committee on Human Rights on the Government's response to human rights judgments 2021–22 (by Command) (CP 763) (Secretary Dominic Raab)
Report by the Comptroller and Auditor General on Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Modernising ageing digital services (by Act), to be printed (HC 948) (Clerk of the House)
5Statutory Instruments (Notification)
Notification to Parliament of a published draft instrument pursuant to Paragraph 14 of Schedule 8 of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018: Merchant Shipping (Inspections of Ro-Ro Passenger Ships and High-Speed Passenger Craft) Regulations 2023 (by Command) (Secretary Mark Harper)
Treasury Minutes Progress Report on the Government responses to the Committee of Public Accounts on Sessions 2010–12, 2012–13, 2013–14, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–19, 2019, 2019–21, 2021–22 and 2022–23 (by Command) (CP 765) (James Cartlidge)