Contents
Chamber business
The House met at 2.30 pm.
Prayers
1Questions to the Secretary of State for Defence
2Urgent Questions: (1) Government preparations for industrial action in the NHS (Will Quince)
(2) British Council contractors in Afghanistan (Mr Andrew Mitchell)
3Trade (Australia and New Zealand) Bill: Programme (No. 3)
Ordered, That the Order of 6 September 2022 (Trade (Australia and New Zealand) Bill: Programme)), as varied by the Order of 22 September 2022 (Trade (Australia and New Zealand) Bill: Programme (No. 2)), be further varied as follows—
(1) Paragraphs (4) and (5) of the Order shall be omitted.
(2) Proceedings on Consideration shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion two hours after the commencement of proceedings on the Motion for this Order.
(3) Proceedings on Third Reading shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion three hours after the commencement of proceedings on the Motion for this Order.—(Joy Morrissey.)
4Trade (Australia and New Zealand) Bill: Consideration of the Bill, not amended in the Public Bill Committee
New Clause NC1—(Gareth Thomas)—brought up, and read the first time.
Question proposed, That the Clause be read a second time.
Clause, by leave, withdrawn.
New Clause NC2—(Gareth Thomas)—brought up, and read the first time.
Question put, That the Clause be read a second time.
The House divided.
Division No. 119
Ayes: 192 (Tellers: Tonia Antoniazzi, Christian Wakeford)
Noes: 296 (Tellers: Amanda Solloway, Jacob Young)
Question accordingly negatived.
New Clause NC12—(Gareth Thomas)—brought up, and read the first time.
Question put, That the Clause be read a second time.
The House divided.
Division No. 120
Ayes: 192 (Tellers: Christian Wakeford, Tonia Antoniazzi)
Noes: 299 (Tellers: Amanda Solloway, Jacob Young)
Question accordingly negatived.
As it was more than two hours after the commencement of proceedings on the Motion for the Programme (No. 3) Order, the Deputy Speaker put the Question necessary to bring proceedings on Consideration to a conclusion (Programme Order, today).
The following Question was put forthwith (Standing Order No. 83E).
(1) That Amendment 3 be made (Question on any Amendment selected by the Speaker for separate decision).—(Richard Thomson.)
The House divided.
Division No. 121
Ayes: 34 (Tellers: Marion Fellows, Peter Grant)
Noes: 300 (Tellers: Amanda Solloway, Jacob Young)
Question accordingly negatived.
Consideration completed.
5Trade (Australia and New Zealand) Bill: Third Reading
Motion made and Question put, That the Bill be now read the third time.
The House divided.
Division No. 122
Ayes: 294 (Tellers: Amanda Solloway, Jacob Young)
Noes: 46 (Tellers: Marion Fellows, Peter Grant)
Question accordingly agreed to and Bill passed.
Motion made and Question proposed, That the draft Voter Identification Regulations 2022, which were laid before this House on 3 November, be approved.—(Lee Rowley.)
The House divided.
Division No. 123
Ayes: 298 (Tellers: Jacob Young, Amanda Solloway)
Noes: 199 (Tellers: Mary Glindon, Christian Wakeford)
Question accordingly agreed to.
7Business of the House (Today)
Ordered, That, at this day's sitting, the Speaker shall put the Questions necessary to dispose of proceedings on the Motion in the name of Penny Mordaunt relating to Standards: Code of Conduct and Guide to the Rules not later than two hours after the commencement of proceedings on that Motion; such Questions shall include the Questions on any Amendments selected by the Speaker which may then be moved; the business on that Motion may be entered upon and proceeded with at any hour, though opposed; and Standing Order No. 41A (Deferred divisions) shall not apply.—(Penny Mordaunt.)
8Standards: Code of Conduct and Guide to the Rules
Motion made and Question proposed, That—
(1) this House takes note of—
(a) the First Report from the Committee on Standards, on New Code of Conduct and Guide to the Rules: promoting appropriate values, attitudes and behaviours in Parliament (HC 227), and approves the revised Code of Conduct for Members annexed to that Report, subject to the following amendment:
In section C (Seven Principles of Public Life): leave out “; as set out below, they are supplemented by descriptors, which apply specifically to Members of Parliament” and the Principles and descriptors as set out in the Report and insert:
“Selflessness
Holders of public office should act solely in terms of the public interest.
Integrity
Holders of public office must avoid placing themselves under any obligation to people or organisations that might try inappropriately to influence them in their work. They should not act or take decisions in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves, their family, or their friends. They must declare and resolve any interests and relationships.
Objectivity
Holders of public office must act and take decisions impartially, fairly and on merit, using the best evidence and without discrimination or bias.
Accountability
Holders of public office are accountable to the public for their decisions and actions and must submit themselves to the scrutiny necessary to ensure this.
Openness
Holders of public office should act and take decisions in an open and transparent manner. Information should not be withheld from the public unless there are clear and lawful reasons for so doing.
Honesty
Holders of public office should be truthful.
Leadership
Holders of public office should exhibit these principles in their own behaviour and treat others with respect. They should actively promote and robustly support the principles and challenge poor behaviour wherever it occurs.”
(b) the Third Report from the Committee on Standards on New Guide to the Rules: final proposals (HC 544), and approves the revised Guide to the Rules relating to the Conduct of Members annexed to that Report, subject to the following amendments:
(i) In Introduction, paragraph 14, leave out, “Whilst Members are not required to register Ministerial office” and insert, “Members are not required to register either Ministerial office or benefits received in their capacity as a Minister”.
(ii) In Chapter 1 (Registration of Members’ Financial Interests), paragraph 17, at end insert: “() Donations or other support received in a Member’s capacity as a Minister, which should be recorded, if necessary, within the relevant Government Department in accordance with the Ministerial Code.”
with effect from 1 March 2023, except that paragraph 8 of Chapter 3 of the Guide to the Rules shall only have effect in respect of past financial interests or material benefits from six months after the date on which the revised code and guide come into effect.
(2) previous Resolutions of this House in relation to the conduct of Members shall be read and given effect in a way which is compatible with the Code of Conduct and the Guide to the Rules relating to the Conduct of Members.—(Penny Mordaunt.)
Amendment proposed, in line 5, leave out from “annexed to that Report” to “(b) the Third Report from the Committee on Standards” in line 34.—(Chris Bryant.)
The House divided.
Division No. 124
Ayes: 135 (Tellers: Mary Glindon, Christian Wakeford)
Noes: 241 (Tellers: Amanda Solloway, Jacob Young)
Question accordingly negatived.
Another Amendment proposed, in line 36, leave out from “annexed to that Report” to “with effect from 1 March 2023” in line 44.—(Chris Bryant.)
The House divided.
Division No. 125
Ayes: 135 (Tellers: Mary Glindon, Christian Wakeford)
Noes: 239 (Tellers: Jacob Young, Amanda Solloway)
Question accordingly negatived.
Main Question put and agreed to.
Resolved, That—
(1) this House takes note of—
(a) the First Report from the Committee on Standards, on New Code of Conduct and Guide to the Rules: promoting appropriate values, attitudes and behaviours in Parliament (HC 227), and approves the revised Code of Conduct for Members annexed to that Report, subject to the following amendment:
In section C (Seven Principles of Public Life): leave out “; as set out below, they are supplemented by descriptors, which apply specifically to Members of Parliament” and the Principles and descriptors as set out in the Report and insert:
“Selflessness
Holders of public office should act solely in terms of the public interest.
Integrity
Holders of public office must avoid placing themselves under any obligation to people or organisations that might try inappropriately to influence them in their work. They should not act or take decisions in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves, their family, or their friends. They must declare and resolve any interests and relationships.
Objectivity
Holders of public office must act and take decisions impartially, fairly and on merit, using the best evidence and without discrimination or bias.
Accountability
Holders of public office are accountable to the public for their decisions and actions and must submit themselves to the scrutiny necessary to ensure this.
Openness
Holders of public office should act and take decisions in an open and transparent manner. Information should not be withheld from the public unless there are clear and lawful reasons for so doing.
Honesty
Holders of public office should be truthful.
Leadership
Holders of public office should exhibit these principles in their own behaviour and treat others with respect. They should actively promote and robustly support the principles and challenge poor behaviour wherever it occurs.”
(b) the Third Report from the Committee on Standards on New Guide to the Rules: final proposals (HC 544), and approves the revised Guide to the Rules relating to the Conduct of Members annexed to that Report, subject to the following amendments:
(i) In Introduction, paragraph 14, leave out, “Whilst Members are not required to register Ministerial office” and insert, “Members are not required to register either Ministerial office or benefits received in their capacity as a Minister”.
(ii) In Chapter 1 (Registration of Members’ Financial Interests), paragraph 17, at end insert: “() Donations or other support received in a Member’s capacity as a Minister, which should be recorded, if necessary, within the relevant Government Department in accordance with the Ministerial Code.”
with effect from 1 March 2023, except that paragraph 8 of Chapter 3 of the Guide to the Rules shall only have effect in respect of past financial interests or material benefits from six months after the date on which the revised code and guide come into effect.
(2) previous Resolutions of this House in relation to the conduct of Members shall be read and given effect in a way which is compatible with the Code of Conduct and the Guide to the Rules relating to the Conduct of Members.
9Statutory Instruments: Motions for Approval
(1) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Product Safety and Metrology (Amendment and Transitional Provisions) Regulations 2022, which were laid before this House on 14 November, be approved.—(Andrew Stephenson.)
Question agreed to.
(2) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Architects Act 1997 (Amendment) Regulations 2022, which were laid before this House on 14 November, be approved.—(Andrew Stephenson.)
The Deputy Speaker’s opinion as to the decision of the Question was challenged.
Division deferred until Wednesday 14 December (Standing Order No. 41A).
(3) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Extraterritorial US Legislation (Sanctions against Cuba, Iran and Libya) (Protection of Trading Interests) (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2022, which were laid before this House on 8 November, be approved.—(Andrew Stephenson.)
Question agreed to.
Subject: Testing moles and skin tags for skin cancer (Bob Seely)
Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Andrew Stephenson.)
Adjourned at 11.07 pm until tomorrow.
Other Proceedings
Changes to Notices Given
11Criminal Appeal (Amendment) Bill
Order for Second Reading on Friday 20 January 2023, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 24 March 2023.
General Committees: Reports
12First Delegated Legislation Committee
Mr Philip Hollobone (Chair) reported the draft Immigration (Persons Designated under Sanctions Regulations) (EU Exit) (Amendment) Regulations 2022.
13Second Delegated Legislation Committee
Mr Virendra Sharma (Chair) reported the draft Parliamentary Works Sponsor Body (Abolition) Regulations 2022.
14Third Delegated Legislation Committee
Mrs Sheryll Murray (Chair) reported the draft Non-Domestic Rating (Chargeable Amounts) (England) Regulations 2022.
15Fourth Delegated Legislation Committee
Stewart Hosie (Chair) reported the draft Restriction of Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment (Exemption) (Fees) Regulations 2022.
16Fifth Delegated Legislation Committee
Mark Pritchard (Chair) reported the draft Public Contracts (Amendment) Regulations 2022.
17Seventh Delegated Legislation Committee
Mrs Sheryll Murray (Chair) reported the draft Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) (Threshold Amount) Order 2022.
General Committees: Appointments
*This section has been corrected since publication. See the correction in the Votes and Proceedings relating to Wednesday 14 December 2022.
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).
18First Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Immigration (Persons Designated under Sanctions Regulations) (EU Exit) (Amendment) Regulations 2022)
Members: Stephen Kinnock discharged and Holly Lynch nominated in substitution.
19Second Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Parliamentary Works Sponsor Body (Abolition) Regulations 2022)
Members: Alberto Costa and Lia Nici discharged and Andy Carter and Ian Levy nominated in substitution.
20Third Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Non-Domestic Rating (Chargeable Amounts) (England) Regulations 2022)
Members: Simon Jupp and Dr Dan Poulter discharged and Peter Aldous and Gareth Bacon nominated in substitution.
21Fourth Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Restriction of Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment (Exemptions) (Fees) Regulations 2022)
Members: Mr Robin Walker discharged and Simon Fell nominated in substitution.
22Ninth Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (Codes of Practice) (Revision of Code A) Order 2022)
Members: Paul Blomfield and Jon Cruddas discharged and Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck and Rachael Maskell nominated in substitution.
23Tenth Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Investigatory Powers (Communications Data) (Relevant Public Authorities and Designated Senior Officers) Regulations 2022)
Members: Shaun Bailey, Ruth Edwards and Scott Mann discharged and Aaron Bell, Steve Double and Anna Firth nominated in substitution.
Select Committees: Reports
(1) General election planning and services: Part of the oral evidence, to be published (HC 209);
(2) Record of the Committee’s discussions at its meeting on 12 December, to be published
(Sir Charles Walker).
25Environmental Audit Committee
Accelerating the transition from fossil fuels and securing energy supplies: Fourth Report, to be printed, with the formal minutes relating to the Report (HC 109) (Philip Dunne).
26Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Committee
(1) Funding for levelling up: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 744);
(2) Correspondence from the Minister for Levelling Up: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Correspondence from the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Local Government and Building Safety relating to the council tax rebate scheme and Ukraine refugee schemes: Written evidence, to be published;
(4) Correspondence with the Chair of the Liaison Committee relating to the previous Committee’s eighth Report of Session 2017–19: Planning guidance on fracking: Written evidence, to be published
(Mr Clive Betts).
27National Security Strategy (Joint Committee on)
(1) Correspondence with the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster relating to UK resilience: Written evidence, to be published;
(2) Correspondence with the National Security Adviser relating to the cancellation of oral evidence: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Correspondence with the National Security Adviser relating to the integrated review update: Written evidence, to be published;
(4) Ransomware: Written evidence, to be published (HC 850);
(Margaret Beckett).
28Northern Ireland Affairs Committee
(1) The effect of paramilitary activity and organised crime on society in Northern Ireland: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 24);
(2) Brexit and the Northern Ireland Protocol: Written evidence, to be published (HC 285);
(3) The effectiveness of the institutions of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement: Written evidence, to be published (HC 781)
(Simon Hoare).
29Public Accounts (Committee of)
(1) Managing central government property: Thirty-first Report, to be printed, with the formal minutes relating to the Report (HC 48);
(2) The Restart Scheme for long-term unemployed people: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 733);
(3) Correspondence relating to the Committee’s previous Reports: Written evidence, to be published;
(4) Correspondence with the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office relating to a contingent liability: Written evidence, to be published;
(5) Housing recall: Written evidence, to be published (HC 36);
(6) Managing cross-border travel during the COVID-19 pandemic: Written evidence, to be published (HC 29);
(7) Supporting vulnerable adolescents: Written evidence, to be published (HC 730);
(8) Use of evaluation and modelling in Government: Written evidence, to be published (HC 254)
(Dame Meg Hillier).
(1) Promoting Scotland internationally: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 625);
(2) Correspondence from the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Levelling Up) relating to the UK Shared Prosperity Fund: Written evidence, to be published
(Pete Wishart).
(1) Autumn Statement 2022—Cost of living payments:
(i) Eighth Report to be printed, with the formal minutes relating to the Report (HC 740);
(ii) Written evidence, to be published (HC 740);
(2) The work of the Treasury: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 137);
(3) Bank of England Monetary Reports: Written evidence, to be published (HC 143);
(4) Office for Budget Responsibility Fiscal Risks and Sustainability Report: Written evidence, to be published (HC 553)
(Harriett Baldwin).
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))
Resolved, That this House has considered e-petition 617603, relating to the state pension.—(Marsha De Cordova.)
Sitting adjourned without Question put (Standing Order No. 10(14)).
Adjourned at 5.26 pm until tomorrow.
Eleanor Laing
Chairman of Ways and Means
Papers Laid
Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution
Draft Local Government (Structural Changes) (Supplementary Provision and Amendment) Order 2023 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Lee Rowley)
Draft Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (Codes of Practice) (Revision of Code H) Order 2023 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Suella Braverman)
Local Government Finance Act 1988 (Non-Domestic Rating Multipliers) (England) Order, 2022 dated 12 December 2022 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Victoria Atkins)
Papers subject to Negative Resolution
Charities Act 2006 (Principal Regulators of Exempt Charities) (Amendment) Regulations 2022 (SI, 2022, No. 1290), dated 5 December 2022 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Dominic Raab)
Prevention and Reduction of Serious Violence (Strategies etc.) Regulations 2022 (SI, 2022, No. 1304), dated 6 December 2022 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Suella Braverman)
Other papers
6Budget Responsibility and National Audit
National Audit Office—2022 Value for Money Study: Strategy Investment (by Act), to be printed (HC 934) (Clerk of the House)
7Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate
Report of HM Chief Inspector of the Crown Prosecution Service for 2021–22, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (by Act), to be printed (HC 897) (The Attorney General)
Export Control
(1) Export of Objects of Cultural Interest (by Act) (Secretary Michelle Donelan)
(2) Report of the Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art and Objects of Cultural Interest for 2021–22 (by Act) (Secretary Michelle Donelan)
Report and Accounts of the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority for 2021–22, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (by Act), to be printed (HC 915) (Secretary Suella Braverman)
9Government Resources and Accounts
Report and Accounts of Phone-paid Services Authority Limited for 2021–22, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (by Statutory Instrument), to be printed (HC 873) (Julia Lopez)
Departmental Minute from the Ministry of Defence dated 12 December 2022, concerning the notification of a contingent liability in respect of the SKYNET 6A Defence Contract (by Command) (Secretary Ben Wallace)
Report by the Comptroller and Auditor General on BBC: A Digital BBC (by Act), to be printed (HC 958) (Clerk of the House)
12Police and Criminal Evidence
Revised Code of Practice in Connection with the Detention, Treatment and Questioning by Police Officers of Persons in Police Detention under Section 41 of, and Schedule 8 to, the Terrorism Act 2000, the detention and treatment by Police Officers of persons in police detention under section 43B of, and Schedule 8 to, the Terrorism Act 2000 and the Treatment and Questioning by Police Officers of Detained Persons in respect of whom an Authorisation to Question after charge has been given under Section 22 of the Counter-Terrorism Act 2008 (Code H) (by Act) (Secretary Suella Braverman)
Treasury Minutes on the Eighteenth to the Twenty-second Reports of the Committee of Public Accounts, Session 2022–23 (by Command) (CP 774) (James Cartlidge)
SPEAKER’S CERTIFICATES
VOTING BY PROXY
The Speaker has certified, under the terms of Standing Order No. 39A (Voting by proxy), that Matt Warman is eligible to have a proxy vote cast on his behalf, starting from 13 December and finishing on 12 June 2023. The nominated proxy is Mr Marcus Jones.
CORRECTION
Friday 9 December 2022
The following item should have appeared under item 7 (Papers Laid):
() Social Security
Explanatory Memorandum to the draft Bereavement Benefits (Remedial) Order 2022 (by command) (Secretary Mel Stride)