Contents
Chamber business
The House met at 2.30 pm.
Prayers
1Questions to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions
2Urgent Questions: (1) Vetting ministerial appointments and managing conflicts of interest (Jeremy Quin)
(2) Prepayment meters (Graham Stuart)
3Personal Statement (Andrew Bridgen)
4Northern Ireland Budget Bill: Allocation of time
Ordered, That the following provisions shall apply to the proceedings on the Northern Ireland Budget Bill—
Timetable
(1) (a) Proceedings on Second Reading and in Committee of the whole House, any proceedings on Consideration and proceedings on Third Reading shall be taken at today’s sitting in accordance with this Order.
(b) Proceedings on Second Reading shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion four hours after the commencement of proceedings on the Motion for this Order.
(c) Proceedings in Committee of the whole House, any proceedings on Consideration and proceedings on Third Reading shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion six hours after the commencement of proceedings on the Motion for this Order.
Timing of proceedings and Questions to be put
(2) When the Bill has been read a second time:
(a) it shall, despite 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.
(3) (a) On the conclusion of proceedings in Committee of the whole House, the Chair 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.
(4) For the purpose of bringing any proceedings to a conclusion in accordance with paragraph (1), the Chair 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 moved or Motion made by a Minister of the Crown;
(d) the Question on any amendment, new Clause or new Schedule selected by the Chair or Speaker for separate decision;
(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 (11)(a) of this Order.
(5) On a Motion so made for a new Clause or a new Schedule, the Chair or Speaker shall put only the Question that the Clause or Schedule be added to the Bill.
(6) If two or more Questions would fall to be put under paragraph (4)(c) or (d) on successive amendments moved or Motions made by a Minister of the Crown, the Chair or Speaker shall instead put a single Question in relation to those amendments or Motions.
(7) If two or more Questions would fall to be put under paragraph (4)(d) or (e) in relation to successive provisions of the Bill, the Chair shall instead put a single Question in relation to those provisions, except that the Question shall be put separately on any Clause of or Schedule to the Bill which a Minister of the Crown has signified an intention to leave out.
Other proceedings
(8) Provision may be made for the taking and bringing to a conclusion of any other proceedings on the Bill.
Miscellaneous
(9) Standing Order No. 15(1) (Exempted business) shall apply to proceedings on the Bill.
(10) Standing Order No. 82 (Business Committee) shall not apply in relation to any proceedings to which this Order applies.
(11) (a) No Motion shall be made, except by a Minister of the Crown, 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.
(12) (a) No dilatory Motion shall be made in relation to proceedings to which this Order applies except by a Minister of the Crown.
(b) The Question on any such Motion shall be put forthwith.
(13) (a) The start of any debate under Standing Order No. 24 (Emergency debates) to be held on a day on which the Bill has been set down to be taken as an Order of the Day shall be postponed until the conclusion of any proceedings on that day to which this Order applies.
(b) Standing Order No. 15(1) (Exempted business) shall apply to proceedings in respect of any such debate.
(14) Proceedings to which this Order applies shall not be interrupted under any Standing Order relating to the sittings of the House.
(15) (a) Any private business which has been set down for consideration at a time falling after the commencement of proceedings on this Order or on the Bill on a day on which the Bill has been set down to be taken as an Order of the Day shall, instead of being considered as provided by Standing Orders or by any Order of the House, be considered at the conclusion of the proceedings on the Bill on that day.
(b) Standing Order No. 15(1) (Exempted business) shall apply to the private business so far as necessary for the purpose of securing that the business may be considered for a period of three hours.—(Robert Largan.)
5Northern Ireland Budget Bill: Second Reading
Bill read a second time and committed to a Committee of the whole House (Order, today).
6Northern Ireland Budget Bill: Committee of the whole House
The House resolved itself into a Committee (Order, today).
(In the Committee)
Clause 1 agreed to.
Clauses 2 to 16 agreed to.
Schedules 1 and 2 agreed to.
The occupant of the Chair left the Chair to report the Bill (Order, today).
The Deputy Speaker resumed the Chair.
Scott Mann reported, That the Committee had gone through the Bill and made no amendment.
7Northern Ireland Budget Bill: Third Reading
Bill read the third time and passed.
8Statutory Instruments: Motions for Approval
(1) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Transport (Scotland) Act 2019 (Consequential Provisions and Modifications) Order 2023, which was laid before this House on 22 November 2022, be approved.—(Scott Mann.)
Question agreed to.
(2) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Civil Legal Aid (Housing and Asylum Accommodation) Order 2023, which was laid before this House on 30 November 2022, be approved.—(Scott Mann.)
Question agreed to.
(3) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive (Transfer of Functions) Order 2023, which was laid before this House on 8 November 2022, be approved.—(Scott Mann.)
Question agreed to.
A public petition from residents of the United Kingdom relating to Keighley Household Waste and Recycling Centre was presented and read by Robbie Moore.
Subject: Complaints mechanisms for housing association tenants (Matt Western)
Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Nigel Huddleston.)
Adjourned at 8.32 pm until tomorrow.
Other Proceedings
*This section has been corrected since publication. See the correction in the Votes and Proceedings relating to Tuesday 24 January 2023.
Rules Relating to the Conduct of Members
Ordered, That the Code of Conduct together with the Guide to the Rules relating to the Conduct of Members be printed (HC 1083).
Changes to Notices Given
12Pre-Payment Meters (Temporary Prohibition) Bill
Order for Second Reading on Friday 3 February, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 24 March.
General Committees: Reports
13First Delegated Legislation Committee
Julie Elliott (Chair) reported the draft Immigration (Leave to Enter and Remain) (Amendment) Order 2023.
14Second Delegated Legislation Committee
Graham Stringer (Chair) reported the draft Environmental Targets (Biodiversity) (England) Regulations 2022, the draft Environmental Targets (Woodland and Trees Outside Woodland) (England) Regulations 2022, the draft Environmental Targets (Water) (England) Regulations 2022, the draft Environmental Targets (Marine Protected Areas) Regulations 2022, the draft Environmental Targets (Fine Particulate Matter) (England) Regulations 2022 and the draft Environmental Targets (Residual Waste) (England) Regulations 2022.
15Third Delegated Legislation Committee
Dame Caroline Dinenage (Chair) reported the Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) (Amendment) (No. 17) Regulations 2022 (SI, 2022, No. 1331).
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).
16Electricity and Gas Transmission (Compensation) Bill Committee
Members: Richard Foord, Selaine Saxby and Jane Stevenson discharged and Dr Luke Evans, Jerome Mayhew and Ian Paisley nominated in substitution.
17Hunting Trophies (Import Prohibition) Bill Committee
Members: Simon Fell discharged and Peter Gibson nominated in substitution.
18First Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Immigration (Leave to Enter and Remain) (Amendment) Order 2023)
Members: Mr Richard Bacon discharged and Conor Burns nominated in substitution.
19Second Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Environmental Targets (Biodiversity) (England) Regulations 2022, draft Environmental Targets (Woodland and Trees Outside Woodland) (England)Regulations 2022, draft Environmental Targets (Water) (England) Regulations 2022, draft Environmental Targets (Marine Protected Areas) Regulations 2022, draft Environmental Targets (Fine Particulate Matter) (England) Regulations 2022 and draft Environmental Targets (Residual Waste) (England) Regulations 2022)
Members: Craig Tracey discharged and Stephen Crabb nominated in substitution.
20Fourth Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Bereavement Benefits (Remedial) Order 2022)
Members: Mrs Heather Wheeler discharged and Mrs Natalie Elphicke nominated in substitution.
21Sixth Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Civil Contingencies Act 2004 (Amendment of List of Responders) Order 2023)
Members: Jack Brereton discharged and Mark Jenkinson nominated in substitution.
Select Committees: Reports
Record of the Committee’s discussions at its meeting on 23 January, to be published (Sir Charles Walker).
23Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Committee
(1) Funding for levelling up: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 744);
(2) Correspondence from the Secretary of State relating to green freeports: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Correspondence relating to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman’s end of term in office: Written evidence, to be published;
(4) Correspondence with the Minister for Housing and Homelessness and Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Faith and Communities relating to Ukrainian refugees: Written evidence, to be published (HC 464)
(Mr Clive Betts).
24Northern Ireland Affairs Committee
The effectiveness of the institutions of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 781) (Simon Hoare).
25Public Accounts (Committee of)
(1) Introducing integrated care systems: Thirty-fifth Report, to be printed, with the formal minutes relating to the Report (HC 47);
(2) DCMS: broadband, gambling and UNBOXED: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 1052);
(3) DLUHC: Homes data, local economic growth, local government funding settlement: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 1053);
(4) BBC Digital: Written evidence, to be published (HC 736);
(5) BEIS Annual Report and Accounts 2021–22: Written evidence, to be published (HC 59);
(6) Correspondence from the Clerk of the House relating to update on recent safety incidents: Written evidence, to be published;
(7) Correspondence from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy relating to an update on HMG indemnity: Written evidence, to be published;
(8) Investigation into the UK Passport Office: Written evidence, to be published (HC 738);
(9) The Restart Scheme for long-term unemployed people: Written evidence, to be published (HC 733)
(Dame Meg Hillier).
(1) Defence in Scotland: military shipbuilding in Scotland: Fourth Report, to be printed, with the formal minutes relating to the Report (HC 1096);
(2) Public broadcasting in Scotland: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 1048)
(Pete Wishart).
Lindsay Hoyle
Speaker
Papers Laid
Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution
Draft Higher-Risk Buildings (Key Building Information etc.) (England) Regulations 2023 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Lee Rowley)
Draft Judicial Pensions (Fee-Paid Judges) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Dominic Raab)
Papers subject to Negative Resolution
School and Early Years Finance (England) Regulations 2023 (SI, 2023, No. 59), dated 19 January 2023 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Nick Gibb)
Excise Duties and Value Added Tax (Northern Ireland) (Miscellaneous Modifications and Amendments) Regulations 2023 (SI, 2023, No. 64), dated 19 January 2023 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (James Cartlidge)
Family Procedure (Amendment) Rules 2023 (SI, 2023, No. 61), dated 17 January 2023 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Dominic Raab)
Control of Explosives Precursors and Poisons Regulations 2023 (SI, 2023, No. 63), dated 23 January 2023 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum and an Impact Assessment (by Command) (Secretary Suella Braverman)
Other papers
7Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Minute, dated 12 January 2023, concerning a contingent liability relating to the Energy Bills Support Scheme and Alternative Fuel Payment in Northern Ireland (EBSS AFP NI) Letter of Comfort to Post Office (by Command) (Graham Stuart)
Report by the Comptroller and Auditor General on Department for Levelling Up Housing and Communities: Timeliness of local auditor reporting on local government in England, 2022–23 (by Act), to be printed (HC 1026) (Clerk of the House)
9Statutory Instruments (Notification)
Notification to Parliament of a published draft instrument pursuant to Paragraph 14 of Schedule 8 of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018: Road Vehicles (Authorised Weight) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (by Command) (Secretary Mark Harper)
SPEAKER'S CERTIFICATES
VOTING BY PROXY
10Variation of proxy voting arrangement
The Speaker has certified, under the terms of Standing Order No. 39A (Voting by proxy), that Ms Diane Abbott has given notice that she wishes to vary her proxy vote arrangement. Her nominated proxy will be Chris Elmore with effect from 24 January until 27 January after which it will revert to Bell Ribeiro-Addy.