Contents
Chamber business
The House met at 11.30 am.
Prayers
1Questions to (1) the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
(2) the Prime Minister
2Statement: Small boats incident in the Channel (Secretary Suella Braverman)
3Green Jobs (Definition and Promotion) Bill: Presentation (Standing Order No. 57)
Tim Farron, supported by Ed Davey, Daisy Cooper, Wendy Chamberlain and Wera Hobhouse, presented a Bill to define the term “green jobs”; to require the Secretary of State to publish a strategy for their creation, including setting targets relating to green jobs, skills, and training; to require the Secretary of State to report to Parliament on performance in implementing that strategy; to require the Secretary of State to publish a plan to increase take-up of National Vocational Qualification courses related to low-carbon services; to establish a Commission to advise the Government and local authorities on increasing the availability of jobs in the low-carbon economy, including in areas with high levels of deprivation, and on ensuring access to good quality green jobs across the United Kingdom; to require the Commission to consult workers, communities, non-governmental organisations, businesses, and industry representatives; to require local authorities to report to the Commission on the availability in green jobs in their areas; 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 217).
4Asylum Seekers (Removal to Safe Countries): Motion for leave to bring in a Bill (Standing Order No. 23)
Motion made and Question proposed, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to provide that certain provisions of the Nationality and Borders Act 2022 relating to the removal of asylum seekers to safe countries shall have effect notwithstanding inconsistency or incompatibility with international or other domestic law; to require the Secretary of State to proceed with such removals regardless of any decision or judgment of any international court or body; and for connected purposes.—(Jonathan Gullis.)
Motion opposed (Standing Order No. 23(1)).
Question put.
The House divided.
Division No. 131
Ayes: 69 (Tellers: Mark Jenkinson, Craig Mackinlay)
Noes: 188 (Tellers: Marion Fellows, Peter Grant)
Question accordingly negatived.
5Suspension of sitting: Visit of His Majesty the King
The Deputy Speaker suspended the sitting until 4.00 pm (Order, 13 December).
The Deputy Speaker announced the result of the Division which had been deferred to this day (Standing Order No. 41A).
Architects
That the draft Architects Act 1997 (Amendment) Regulations 2022, which were laid before this House on 14 November, be approved.
Division No. 130
Ayes: 303
Noes: 42
Question accordingly agreed to.
7Opposition Day: Leader of the second largest opposition party (10th allotted day, first part (Standing Order No. 14))
Scotland’s Future
Motion made and Question put, That this House believes it should be for the Scottish people to determine the future constitutional status of Scotland; and accordingly makes provision as set out in this Order:
(1) On Tuesday 10 January 2023:
(a) Standing Order No. 14(1) (which provides that government business shall have precedence at every sitting save as provided in that Order) shall not apply;
(b) any proceedings governed by this Order may be proceeded with until any hour, though opposed, and shall not be interrupted;
(c) the Speaker may not propose the question on the previous question, and may not put any question under Standing Order No. 36 (Closure of debate) or Standing Order No. 163 (Motion to sit in private);
(d) at 3.00 pm, the Speaker shall interrupt any business prior to the business governed by this Order and call the Leader of the Scottish National Party Westminster Group or another Member on his behalf to present a Bill concerning a modification of Schedule 5 to the Scotland Act 1998 of which notice of presentation has been given and immediately thereafter (notwithstanding the practice of the House) call a Member to move the motion that the Bill be now read a second time as if it were an order of the House;
(e) in respect of that Bill, notices of Amendments, new Clauses and new Schedules to be moved in Committee may be accepted by the Clerks at the Table before the Bill has been read a second time;
(f) any proceedings interrupted or superseded by this Order may be resumed or (as the case may be) entered upon and proceeded with after the moment of interruption.
(2) The provisions of paragraphs (3) to (18) of this Order shall apply to and in connection with the proceedings on the Bill in the present Session of Parliament.
Timetable for the Bill on Tuesday 10 January 2023
(3)(a) Proceedings on Second Reading and in Committee of the whole House, any proceedings on Consideration and proceedings up to and including Third Reading shall be taken at the sitting on Tuesday 10 January 2023 in accordance with this Order.
(b) Proceedings on Second Reading shall be brought to a conclusion (so far as not previously concluded) at 5.00 pm.
(c) Proceedings in Committee of the whole House, any proceedings on Consideration and proceedings up to and including Third Reading shall be brought to a conclusion (so far as not previously concluded) at 7.00 pm.
Timing of proceedings and Questions to be put on Tuesday 10 January 2023
(4) When the Bill has been read a second time:
(a) it shall, notwithstanding Standing Order No. 63 (Committal of bills not subject to a programme Order), stand committed to a Committee of the whole House without any Question being put;
(b) the Speaker shall leave the Chair whether or not notice of an Instruction has been given.
(5)(a) On the conclusion of proceedings in Committee of the whole House, the Chairman shall report the Bill to the House without putting any Question.
(b) If the Bill is reported with amendments, the House shall proceed to consider the Bill as amended without any Question being put.
(6) For the purpose of bringing any proceedings to a conclusion in accordance with paragraph (3), the Chairman or Speaker shall forthwith put the following Questions in the same order as they would fall to be put if this Order did not apply—
(a) any Question already proposed from the Chair;
(b) any Question necessary to bring to a decision a Question so proposed;
(c) the Question on any amendment, new clause or new schedule selected by the Chairman or Speaker for separate decision;
(d) the Question on any amendment moved or Motion made by a designated Member;
(e) any other Question necessary for the disposal of the business to be concluded;
and shall not put any other Questions, other than the Question on any motion described in paragraph (15) of this Order.
(7) On a Motion made for a new Clause or a new Schedule, the Chairman or Speaker shall put only the Question that the Clause or Schedule be added to the Bill.
Consideration of Lords Amendments and Messages on a subsequent day
(8) If on any future sitting day any message on the Bill (other than a message that the House of Lords agrees with the Bill without amendment or agrees with any message from this House) is expected from the House of Lords, this House shall not adjourn until that message has been received and any proceedings under paragraph (9) have been concluded.
(9) On any day on which such a message is received, if a designated Member indicates to the Speaker an intention to proceed to consider that message—
(a) notwithstanding Standing Order No. 14(1) any Lords Amendments to the Bill or any further Message from the Lords on the Bill may be considered forthwith without any Question being put; and any proceedings interrupted for that purpose shall be suspended accordingly;
(b) proceedings on consideration of Lords Amendments or on any further Message from the Lords shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion one hour after their commencement; and any proceedings suspended under subparagraph (a) shall thereupon be resumed;
(c) the Speaker may not propose the question on the previous question, and may not put any question under Standing Order No. 36 (Closure of debate) or Standing Order No. 163 (Motion to sit in private) in the course of those proceedings.
(10) Paragraphs (2) to (7) of Standing Order No. 83F (Programme Orders: conclusion of proceedings on consideration of Lords amendments) apply for the purposes of bringing any proceedings on consideration of Lords Amendments to a conclusion as if:
(a) any reference to a Minister of the Crown were a reference to a designated Member;
(b) after paragraph (4)(a) there is inserted—
“(aa) the question on any amendment or motion selected by the Speaker for separate decision;”.
(11) Paragraphs (2) to (5) of Standing Order No. 83G (Programme Orders: conclusion of proceedings on further messages from the Lords) apply for the purposes of bringing any proceedings on consideration of a Lords Message to a conclusion as if any reference to a Minister of the Crown were a reference to a designated Member.
Reasons Committee
(12)(a) Paragraphs (2) to (6) of Standing Order No. 83H (Programme Orders: reasons committee) apply in relation to any committee to be appointed to draw up reasons after proceedings have been brought to a conclusion in accordance with this Order as if any reference to a Minister of the Crown were a reference to a designated Member.
(b) The composition of the committee shall (notwithstanding the practice of the House) be three members from the government party, three members from the largest opposition party and one member from the second largest opposition party.
Miscellaneous
(13) Standing Order No. 82 (Business Committee) shall not apply in relation to any proceedings on the Bill to which this Order applies.
(14)(a) No Motion shall be made, except by a designated Member, to alter the order in which any proceedings on the Bill are taken, to recommit the Bill or to vary or supplement the provisions of this Order.
(b) No notice shall be required of such a Motion.
(c) Such a Motion may be considered forthwith without any Question being put; and any proceedings interrupted for that purpose shall be suspended accordingly.
(d) The Question on such a Motion shall be put forthwith; and any proceedings suspended under sub-paragraph (c) shall thereupon be resumed.
(e) Standing Order No. 15(1) (Exempted business) shall apply to proceedings on such a Motion.
(15)(a) No dilatory Motion shall be made in relation to proceedings on the Bill to which this Order applies except by a designated Member.
(b) The Question on any such Motion shall be put forthwith.
(16) Proceedings to which this Order applies shall not be interrupted under any Standing Order relating to the sittings of the House.
(17) No private business may be considered at any sitting to which the provisions of this Order apply.
(18)(a) The start of any debate under Standing Order No. 24 (Emergency debates) to be held on a day on which proceedings to which this Order applies are to take place shall be postponed until the conclusion of any proceedings to which this Order applies.
(b) Standing Order 15(1) (Exempted business) shall apply in respect of any such debate.
(19) In this Order, “a designated Member” means—
(a) the Leader of the Scottish National Party in this House; and
(b) any other Member acting on behalf of the Leader of the Scottish National Party in this House.
(20) This Order shall be a Standing Order of the House.—(Tommy Sheppard.)
The House divided.
Division No. 132
Ayes: 42 (Tellers: Marion Fellows, Peter Grant)
Noes: 265 (Tellers: Amanda Solloway, Jacob Young)
Question accordingly negatived.
Subject: Cyber attack on South Staffs Water (Marco Longhi)
Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Andrew Stephenson.)
Adjourned at 7.31 pm until tomorrow.
Other Proceedings
Lords Messages
9Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill
The Lords agree to the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill with Amendments to which they desire the agreement of the Commons.
The Lords have passed a Bill to make provision about procurement, to which they desire the agreement of the Commons.
Printing of Lords Amendments
11Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill
Lords Amendments to the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill to be considered tomorrow, and to be printed (Bill 219) with Explanatory Notes (Bill 219-EN).
First Reading and Printing of Lords Bills
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time tomorrow, and to be printed (Bill 218), with Explanatory Notes (Bill 218-EN).
General Committees: Reports
13Child Support Collection (Domestic Abuse) Bill
Esther McVey (Chair) reported the Bill without Amendment.
Bill, not amended, to be considered on Friday 3 March 2023.
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).
14Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Bill Committee
(1) Chair: Clive Efford
(2) Members: Nickie Aiken, Mr Clive Betts, Bob Blackman, Felicity Buchan, Ian Byrne, Mrs Natalie Elphicke, Ben Everitt, Mrs Paulette Hamilton, Helen Hayes, Eddie Hughes, Steve McCabe, Mr Gagan Mohindra, Helen Morgan, Mary Robinson, Gary Sambrook, Dr Jamie Wallis and Munira Wilson
15First Delegated Legislation Committee (draft National Health Service (NHS Payment Scheme – Consultation) (No. 2) Regulations 2022)
(1) Chair: Sir Graham Brady
(2) Members: Mike Amesbury, Duncan Baker, Olivia Blake, Sir Robert Buckland, Feryal Clark, Alberto Costa, Tracey Crouch, Sir Greg Knight, Nigel Mills, Kate Osborne, Sir Mike Penning, Will Quince, Karin Smyth, Amanda Solloway, Christian Wakeford, Sir John Whittingdale and Nadia Whittome
16Second Delegated Legislation Committee (Energy Bill Relief Scheme Pass-through Requirement (Heat Suppliers) (Amendment) Regulations 2022 (SI, 2022, No. 1280))
(1) Chair: Dame Caroline Dinenage
(2) Members: Debbie Abrahams, Lucy Allan, Kevin Brennan, Alan Brown, Mrs Flick Drummond, George Eustice, Vicky Ford, Dr Caroline Johnson, Kim Johnson, Rachel Maclean, Jessica Morden, Joy Morrissey, Bob Seely, Jane Stevenson, Graham Stuart, Sam Tarry and Dr Alan Whitehead
17Third Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Pensions Appeal Tribunals (Late Appeal) (Amendment) Regulations 2022)
(1) Chair: Caroline Nokes
(2) Members: Duncan Baker, Dan Carden, Steve Double, Mark Eastwood, Mark Fletcher, Barry Gardiner, Rachel Hopkins, Dan Jarvis, Gerald Jones, Jack Lopresti, Cherilyn Mackrory, Mark Menzies, Carol Monaghan, Dr Andrew Murrison, Julian Sturdy, Kelly Tolhurst and Mick Whitley
18Fourth Delegated Legislation Committee (draft State Immunity Act 1978 (Remedial) Order 2022)
(1) Chair: James Gray
(2) Members: Tahir Ali, Sir Jake Berry, Fiona Bruce, Bambos Charalambous, John Cryer, Martyn Day, Mary Kelly Foy, Rebecca Harris, Gerald Jones, Chris Loder, Cherilyn Mackrory, Mr Andrew Mitchell, Lia Nici, Mark Pawsey, Ms Marie Rimmer, Matt Vickers and Matt Warman
19Fifth Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Packaging Waste (Data Reporting) (England) Regulations 2022)
(1) Chair: Mr Peter Bone
(2) Members: Richard Burgon, Miriam Cates, Jackie Doyle-Price, Michael Ellis, Mary Glindon, Sir John Hayes, Fay Jones, Ruth Jones, John McDonnell, Craig Mackinlay, Anthony Mangnall, Jerome Mayhew, Kate Osamor, Rebecca Pow, Bell Ribeiro-Addy, Sir Desmond Swayne and Mohammad Yasin
20Sixth Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Climate Change (Targeted Greenhouse Gases) Order 2022)
(1) Chair: Philip Davies
(2) Members: Sir David Evennett, Laura Farris, Kevin Foster, Patricia Gibson, Emma Hardy, Dame Meg Hillier, Ian Lavery, Kerry McCarthy, Mr Khalid Mahmood, Amanda Milling, Jessica Morden, Joy Morrissey, Dr Kieran Mullan, Chloe Smith, Jane Stevenson, Graham Stuart and Theresa Villiers
Select Committees: Reports
21Environmental Audit Committee
(1) The financial sector and the UK’s net zero transition: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 308);
(2) Environmental change and food security: Written evidence, to be published (HC 880);
(3) Technological innovations and climate change: geothermal technologies: Written evidence, to be published (HC 397);
(4) Technological innovations and climate change: onshore solar energy: Written evidence, to be published (HC 856)
(Philip Dunne).
(1) Policing priorities: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 635);
(2) Correspondence from the Secretary of State for Justice relating to the launch of the 24/7 Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Line: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Correspondence from the Secretary of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse relating to monitoring of the recommendations of the inquiry: Written evidence, to be published
(Tim Loughton).
23Human Rights (Joint Committee on)
(1) Protecting Human Rights in Care Settings: Government Response to the Committee’s Fourth Report: Third Special Report, to be printed, with the formal minutes relating to the Report (HC 955);
(2) Legislative Scrutiny: Bill of Rights Bill: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 611);
(3) Correspondence from the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman relating to its Focus Report on equal justice: Written evidence, to be published (HC 216)
(Joanna Cherry).
24International Trade Committee
(1) UK-EU trading relationship: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 14);
(2) Correspondence from the Minister for Levelling Up relating to freeports: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Correspondence from the Secretary of State: Written evidence, to be published
(Angus Brendan MacNeil).
25Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Committee
Correspondence with the Secretary of State relating to the Local Government Finance Settlement: Written evidence, to be published (Mr Clive Betts).
26Science and Technology Committee
(1) The role of hydrogen in achieving Net Zero: Fourth Report, to be printed, with the formal minutes relating to the Report (HC 99);
(2) Delivering nuclear power: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 626)
(Greg Clark).
27Statutory Instruments (Joint Committee on)
Twenty-first Report, to be printed, with the formal minutes relating to the Report (HC 4-xxi) (Jessica Morden).
28Statutory Instruments (Select Committee on)
Eighth Report, to be printed, with the formal minutes relating to the Report (HC 5-viii) (Jessica Morden).
Rail services disruption: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 594) (Iain Stewart).
Appointment of Ashley Alder as Chair of the Financial Conduct Authority:
(i) Ninth Report to be printed, with the formal minutes relating to the Report, (HC 786);
(ii) Oral and Written evidence, to be published (HC 786)
(Harriett Baldwin).
Nuclear energy in Wales: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 240) (Stephen Crabb).
(1) Universal Credit and childcare costs: Fourth Report, to be printed, with the formal minutes relating to the Report (HC 127);
(2) Defined benefit pensions with Liability Driven Investments: Oral and Written evidence, to be published (HC 826);
(3) Children in Poverty: Child Maintenance Service: Written evidence, to be published (HC 272);
(4) Plan for Jobs and employment support: Written evidence, to be published (HC 600);
(5) The work of the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions: Written evidence, to be published (HC 549)
(Sir 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))
1Asylum seeker employment and the cost of living
Resolved, That this House has considered asylum seeker employment and the cost of living.—(Christian Wakeford.)
2Integrity of the voting process
Resolved, That this House has considered the integrity of the voting process.—(Paul Bristow.)
The sitting was suspended between 11.27 am and 4.15 pm (Order, 13 December).
Resolved, That this House has considered visa processing times.—(Wendy Chamberlain.)
Resolved, That this House has considered the cost of food.—(Ian Byrne.)
Sitting adjourned without Question put (Standing Order No. 10(14)).
Adjourned at 5.43 pm until tomorrow.
Eleanor Laing
Chairman of Ways and Means
Papers Laid
Papers subject to Negative Resolution
1Government Resources and Accounts
Government Resources and Accounts Act 2000 (Estimates and Accounts) (Amendment) Order 2022 (SI, 2022, No. 1319), dated 13 December 2022 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (John Glen)
2Health Care and Associated Professions
Eligibility and Registration of General Practitioners and Specialist Medical Practitioners (Amendment) Order of Council 2022 (SI, 2022, No. 1326), dated 12 December 2022 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Steve Barclay)
3Public Interest Business Protection Tax
Finance Act 2022, Schedule 10 (Public Interest Business Protection Tax) (Substitution of Date) Regulations 2022 (SI, 2022, No. 1321), dated 13 December 2022 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Victoria Atkins)
Other papers
4Government Resources and Accounts
(1) Report and Accounts of LocatED Property Limited for 2021–22, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (by Act), to be printed (HC 937) (Nick Gibb)
(2) Report and Accounts of the Commission for Local Administration in England (Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman) for 2021–22, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (by Act), to be printed (HC 924) (Secretary Michael Gove)
(3) Report and Financial Statements of the English Institute of Sport Limited for 2021–22, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (by Act), to be printed (HC 878) (Stuart Andrew)
5Government Resources and Accounts (Audit of Non-profit-making Companies)
Report and Accounts of United Kingdom Anti-Doping Limited for 2021–22, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (by Act), to be printed (HC 902) (Stuart Andrew)
Managing tax compliance following the pandemic for 2022–23, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (by Act), to be printed (HC 957) (Clerk of the House)
Report and Accounts of Historic England for 2021–22, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (by Act), to be printed (HC 870) (Stuart Andrew)
Report and Accounts of Creative Scotland National Lottery Distribution Fund (by Act) (Secretary Alister Jack)
Report of the Chief Electoral Officer for Northern Ireland for 2020–21, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (by Act), to be printed (HC 847) (Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris)
10Social Security Administration
Account of the Social Fund for 2021–22, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (by Act), to be printed (HC 456) (Clerk of the House)
CORRECTIONS
The following item should have appeared after item 12:
Printing of Bills
Online Safety Bill
Bill, as amended on consideration, to be printed (Bill 209).
The following item should have appeared as the first item in General Committees: Appointments:
Online Safety (Re-committed Clauses and Schedules) Bill (Programming Sub-Committee)
Members: Kirsty Blackman, Paul Bristow, Alex Davies-Jones, Sarah Owen, Dean Russell, Paul Scully and Mike Wood