Contents
Chamber business
The House met at 11.30 am.
Prayers
1Questions to the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs
2Urgent Question: IMF economic outlook (James Cartlidge)
3Seat Belts (Penalty Points) Bill: Standing Order No. 57
Mr Barry Sheerman, supported by Mr Ben Bradshaw, presented a Bill to make the offence of driving or riding in a motor vehicle on a road without a seat belt an endorsable offence; and for connected purposes.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 24 March, and to be printed (Bill 238).
4Clean Air: Motion for leave to bring in a Bill (Standing Order No. 23)
Ordered, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to establish the right to breathe clean air; to make provision for the purpose of reducing indoor and outdoor air pollution, including greenhouse gases; to set minimum standards for air quality in workplaces, homes and public spaces; to require the monitoring of air quality; to require the Secretary of State to publish a strategy for reducing air pollution, including setting targets and measures for air quality, and to report to Parliament annually on the implementation of that strategy; to give powers to the Office for Environmental Protection to enforce legislation relating to air quality and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions; to make provision for the purpose of reducing pollution from vehicles; to place a duty on the Secretary of State to encourage and facilitate forms of active travel and to publish a strategy for reducing emissions from transport; to require the Secretary of State to promote public awareness of the impact of air pollution on public health; to place restrictions on the use of wood-burning stoves in urban areas; and for connected purposes;
That Geraint Davies, John McNally, Layla Moran, Ben Lake, Rosie Duffield, Ian Byrne, Debbie Abrahams, Dawn Butler, Mr Virendra Sharma, Dan Jarvis, Caroline Lucas and Christine Jardine present the Bill.
Geraint Davies accordingly presented the Bill.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 24 March, and to be printed (Bill 239).
5Opposition Day: Leader of the Opposition (12th allotted day (Standing Order No. 14))
(1) Crime and neighbourhood policing
Motion made and Question proposed, That this House condemns the Government’s destruction of neighbourhood policing, noting a drop in the number of neighbourhood police officers by 6,000 and of Police Community Support Officers by 8,500; notes with concern the collapse in charges and prosecutions across all types of crime and an overall charge rate of just 5.5 percent; is extremely concerned by the record levels of recorded rapes and knife-enabled threats to kill and that more than twenty million people witnessed or experienced antisocial behaviour last year; and calls on the Government to protect communities across the UK by increasing neighbourhood policing, including by ringfencing a proportion of the Police Uplift Programme to deliver neighbourhood officers for every local authority in England and Wales.—(Yvette Cooper.)
Amendment proposed, in line 1, to leave out from ‘House’ to the end of the Question and add ‘welcomes the Government’s efforts to increase police numbers, with 16,743 so far recruited and on track to meet the Government’s 20,000 target by March; notes that there will be more officers than ever before in England and Wales; recognises that, excluding online crime, overall crime is down by 50 per cent since 2010; notes with concern that the Labour Mayor of London has overseen a 9 per cent increase in knife crime while the number of young people assaulted with sharp objects is down nationally by 23 per cent since 2019; notes that adult rape convictions are up by a third in the last recorded year; notes that the Safer Streets Fund rounds have funded 270 projects designed to cut neighbourhood crimes such as theft, burglary, anti-social behaviour, and violence against women and girls; and welcomes the Government’s determination to back the police in giving them the powers they need to crack down on dangerous criminals and protests that wreak havoc on ordinary people’s lives.’—(Secretary Suella Braverman.)
Question proposed, That the original words stand part of the Question (Standing Order No. 31(2)).
The Deputy Speaker announced a time limit on backbench speeches (Standing Order No. 47(1)).
Question put.
The House divided.
Division No. 167
Ayes: 169 (Tellers: Liz Twist, Colleen Fletcher)
Noes: 309 (Tellers: Joy Morrissey, Nigel Huddleston)
Question accordingly negatived.
Question put forthwith, That the proposed words be there added (Standing Order No. 31(2)).
The House divided.
Division No. 168
Ayes: 308 (Tellers: Nigel Huddleston, Joy Morrissey)
Noes: 1 (Tellers: Amanda Milling, Mr Peter Bone)
Question agreed to.
The Deputy Speaker declared the Main Question, as amended, agreed to (Standing Order No. 31(2)).
Resolved, That this House welcomes the Government’s efforts to increase police numbers, with 16,743 so far recruited and on track to meet the Government’s 20,000 target by March; notes that there will be more officers than ever before in England and Wales; recognises that, excluding online crime, overall crime is down by 50 per cent since 2010; notes with concern that the Labour Mayor of London has overseen a 9 per cent increase in knife crime while the number of young people assaulted with sharp objects is down nationally by 23 per cent since 2019; notes that adult rape convictions are up by a third in the last recorded year; notes that the Safer Streets Fund rounds have funded 270 projects designed to cut neighbourhood crimes such as theft, burglary, anti-social behaviour, and violence against women and girls; and welcomes the Government’s determination to back the police in giving them the powers they need to crack down on dangerous criminals and protests that wreak havoc on ordinary people’s lives.
(2) Non-domicile tax status
Motion made and Question proposed, That there be laid before this House, no later than 28 February 2023, a copy of the Treasury analysis related to the effect of the abolition of the non-domicile tax status on the public revenue referred to by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in evidence to the Treasury Committee on 23 November 2022 together with any other document or analysis relating to that matter prepared for the Chancellor’s consideration since 14 October 2022.—(James Murray.)
The Deputy Speaker announced a time limit on backbench speeches (Standing Order No. 47(1)).
Question put.
The House divided.
Division No. 169
Ayes: 229 (Tellers: Colleen Fletcher, Liz Twist)
Noes: 305 (Tellers: Joy Morrissey, Nigel Huddleston)
Question accordingly negatived.
6Statutory Instruments: Motions for Approval
(1) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the Health and Safety and Nuclear (Fees) Regulations 2022 (SI, 2022, No. 1378), dated 19 December 2022, a copy of which was laid before this House on 20 December 2022, be approved.—(Mike Wood.)
Question agreed to.
(2) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the Energy Bill Relief Scheme (Non-Standard Cases) Regulations 2023 (SI, 2023, No. 9), dated 10 January 2023, a copy of which was laid before this House on 11 January, be approved.—(Mike Wood.)
Question agreed to.
(1) A public petition from residents of the constituency of Hornsey and Wood Green relating to the planned closure of Wood Green Post Office was presented and read by Catherine West.
(2) A public petition from residents of the United Kingdom relating to funding for small and rural primary schools was presented and read by Cat Smith.
Subject: Green energy potential in Scotland (Ian Blackford)
Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Mike Wood.)
Adjourned at 7.39 pm until tomorrow.
Other Proceedings
General Committees: Reports
9Procurement Bill [Lords] Committee
Clive Efford (Chair) reported:
(1) That the Committee had come to the following Resolution, That, subject to the discretion of the Chair, any written evidence received by the Committee shall be reported to the House for publication; and
(2) written evidence.
Written evidence to be published.
10Third Delegated Legislation Committee
Mr Peter Bone (Chair) reported the draft Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (Codes of Practice) (Revision of Code H) Order 2023.
Select Committees: Reports
11Backbench Business Committee
Transcript of representations made on Tuesday 31 January, to be published (Ian Mearns).
12Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee
(1) The semiconductor industry in the UK: the Government’s Response: Sixth Report, to be printed, with the formal minutes relating to the Report (HC 1115);
(2) Energy price support: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 980);
(3) Correspondence from the Secretary of State: Written evidence, to be published;
(4) Energy pricing and the future of the energy market: Written evidence, to be published (HC 236);
(5) Post-pandemic economic growth: UK labour markets: Written evidence, to be published (HC 306);
(6) Royal Mail and the Post Office: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1045)
(Darren Jones).
(1) Annual update on major shipbuilding programmes: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 1107);
(2) Correspondence with the Minister for Defence Procurement relating to recommendations in the Committee’s report, “We’re going to need a bigger Navy”: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Correspondence with the Secretary of State relating to Fleet Solid Support Ship competition: Written evidence, to be published
(Tobias Ellwood).
14Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee
(1) Promoting Britain abroad: Government Response to the Committee’s Second Report: Fifth Special Report, to be printed (HC 1103);
(2) Reimagining where we live: cultural placemaking and the levelling up agenda: Government Response to the Committee’s Third Report: Sixth Special Report, to be printed (HC 1104);
(3) Connected tech: smart or sinister?: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 157);
(4) Economics of music streaming: follow-up: Written evidence, to be published (HC 874);
(5) What next for the National Lottery?: Written evidence, to be published (HC 154)
(Damian Green).
Careers education, information, advice and guidance: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 54) (Mr Robin Walker).
16Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
(1) Species reintroduction: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 849);
(2) Correspondence from the Minister for Exports relating to the Food and Drink Export Council: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Sealife mortality off the north east coast: Written evidence, to be published (HC 796);
(4) Work of the Department: Written evidence, to be published (HC 705)
(Sir Robert Goodwill).
(1) Western Balkans: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 1094);
(2) Implementing the Integrated Review: Tilt to the Indo-Pacific: Written evidence, to be published (HC 172);
(3) The situation in Iran and the FCDO’s response: Written evidence, to be published (HC 928)
(Alicia Kearns).
18Health and Social Care Committee
(1) NHS Pay Review Body: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 1100);
(2) Work of the Department: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 1093);
(3) Correspondence with the Chairs of the Health and Social Care Committee, Home Affairs Committee and Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Committee and the Minister of State for Immigration relating to health risks presented by diptheria: Written evidence, to be published;
(4) Integrated care systems: autonomy and accountability: Written evidence, to be published (HC 587)
(Steve Brine).
19International Development Committee
(1) Situation for women and girls in Afghanistan: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 1087);
(2) UK aid for refugee host countries: Written evidence, to be published (HC 426)
(Sarah Champion).
(1) The work of the Ministry of Justice: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 1058);
(2) Correspondence from the Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State relating to amendments to the Fee-Paid Judicial Pension Scheme: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Crown Prosecution Service Supplementary Estimate Memorandum 2022–23: Written evidence, to be published;
(4) Public opinion and understanding of sentencing: Written evidence, to be published (HC 305);
(5) The work of the Lord Chancellor: Written evidence, to be published (HC 883);
(6) UK Supreme Court Supplementary Estimate Memorandum 2022–23: Written evidence, to be published
(Sir Robert Neill).
(1) Record of the Committee’s decisions relating to e-petitions, to be published;
(2) List of closed e-petitions presented to the House, to be published;
(3) Public engagement on e-petitions: Written evidence, to be published (HC 73)
(Catherine McKinnell).
22Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee
Planning for the future of the Government’s estates: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 793) (Mr William Wragg).
23Science and Technology Committee
(1) Delivering nuclear power: Written evidence, to be published (HC 626);
(2) Evidence base of Parole Board decisions: Written evidence, to be published (HC 712);
(3) The antimicrobial potential of bacteriophages: Written evidence, to be published (HC 886)
(Greg Clark).
Employment conditions of Members’ staff: Written evidence, to be published (HC 692) (Tracey Crouch).
(1) Rural connectivity: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1062);
(2) Smart motorways: follow-up: Written evidence, to be published (HC 606)
(Iain Stewart).
(1) The venture capital market: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 134);
(2) Authorised push payment fraud reimbursement scheme: Written evidence taken before the Sub-Committee on Financial Services Regulations, to be published (HC 939)
(Harriett Baldwin).
27Women and Equalities Committee
Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill and Equality Act: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 1098) (Caroline Nokes).
Lindsay Hoyle
Speaker
Westminster Hall
The sitting began at 9.30 am.
Business appointed by the First Deputy Chairman of Ways and Means (Standing Order No. 10(6) and Order, 19 December 2022)
1Progress on the Government’s levelling up missions in the East of England
Resolved, That this House has considered progress on the Government’s levelling up missions in the East of England.—(Peter Aldous.)
The sitting was suspended between 10.54 am and 11.00 am.
2Essex Mental Health Independent Inquiry
Resolved, That this House has considered the Essex Mental Health Independent Inquiry.—(Vicky Ford.)
The sitting was suspended between 11.25 am and 2.30 pm (Standing Order No. 10(1)(b)).
Resolved, That this House has considered the matter of NHS hysteroscopy treatment.—(Ms Lyn Brown.)
The sitting was suspended between 3.43 pm and 4.00 pm.
4Support for smaller musical genres in Scotland
Resolved, That this House has considered support for smaller musical genres in Scotland.—(Pete Wishart.)
5Council tax and the distribution of the revenue support grant
The sitting was suspended between 4.34 pm and 4.58 pm for divisions in the House (Standing Order No. 10(3)).
Resolved, That this House has considered council tax and the distribution of the revenue support grant.—(Chris Loder.)
Sitting adjourned without Question put (Standing Order No. 10(14)).
Adjourned at 5.42 pm until tomorrow.
Rosie Winterton
First Deputy Chairman of Ways and Means
Papers Laid
Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution
(1) Draft Agriculture (Financial Assistance) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Thérèse Coffey)
(2) Draft Direct Payments to Farmers (Reductions) (England) Regulations 2023 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Thérèse Coffey)
Draft Airports Slot Allocation (Alleviation of Usage Requirements) Regulations 2023 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Mark Harper)
Police Grant Report (England and Wales) for 2023–24 (by Act), to be printed (HC 1066) (Secretary Suella Braverman)
Papers subject to Negative Resolution
Criminal Legal Aid (Remuneration) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (SI, 2023, No. 97), dated (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum and an Impact Assessment (by Command) (Secretary Dominic Raab)
Other papers
5Betting, Gaming and Lotteries
Report and Accounts of the Horserace Betting Levy Board for 2021–22, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (by Act), to be printed (HC 1108) (Paul Scully)
6Budget Responsibility and National Audit
Office for Budget Responsibility: Forecast evaluation report (by Act) (James Cartlidge)
(1) Environmental Improvement Plan 2023 (by Act) (Secretary Thérèse Coffey)
(2) Report on the first review of environmental targets (the Significant Improvement Test) (by Act) (Secretary Thérèse Coffey)
Government Response to the Annual Report on the Operation of the Terrorism Acts in 2020 by the Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation (by Command) (CP 788) (Secretary Suella Braverman)
Female Offender Strategy Delivery Plan 2022–25 (by Command) (CP 772) (Secretary Dominic Raab)
10Parliamentary Constituencies and Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies
(1) Boundary Commission for England: 2023 Review of Parliamentary Constituencies: Report on progress during 2022 (by Act) (The Speaker)
(2) Boundary Commission for Northern Ireland: 2023 Review of Parliamentary Constituencies: Progress Report 2022 (by Act) (The Speaker)
(3) Boundary Commission for Scotland: 2023 Review of Parliamentary constituencies: Report on Progress during 2022 (by Act) (The Speaker)
(4) Boundary Commission for Wales: 2023 Review of Parliamentary Constituencies Wales: Report on progress during 2022 (by Act) (The Speaker)
SPEAKER’S CERTIFICATES
VOTING BY PROXY
1Variation of proxy voting arrangements
(1) The Speaker has certified, under the terms of Standing Order No. 39A (Voting by proxy), that Tony Lloyd has given notice that he wishes to vary his proxy vote arrangements. His nominated proxy will be Chris Elmore with effect from 6 February.
(2) The Speaker has certified, under the terms of Standing Order No. 39A (Voting by proxy), that Mark Logan has given notice that he wishes to vary his proxy vote arrangement. His proxy vote arrangement will end on 1 March.
CORRECTION
Monday 30 January 2023
The following item should have appeared before item 27 in General Committees: Appointments:
Procurement Bill [Lords] (Programming Sub-Committee)
Members: Kirsty Blackman, Alex Burghart, Florence Eshalomi, Mr Louie French, Peter Gibson, Gerald Jones and Julie Marson