Contents
Chamber business
The House met at 11.30 am.
Prayers
1Questions to the Secretary of State for Justice
2Urgent Questions: (1) Water company performance (Rebecca Pow)
(2) Rollout of voter identification (Lee Rowley)
(3) Raid of BBC offices in Delhi and Mumbai (David Rutley)
3Statement: Plymouth shootings (Chris Philp)
4Sun Protection Products (Value Added Tax): Motion for leave to bring in a Bill (Standing Order No. 23)
Ordered, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to exempt sun protection products from VAT; and for connected purposes;
That Amy Callaghan, Sir Chris Bryant, Maggie Throup, Jim Shannon, Ian Blackford, Caroline Lucas, Charlotte Nichols, Mrs Pauline Latham, Mhairi Black, David Linden, Patricia Gibson and Dr Philippa Whitford present the Bill.
Amy Callaghan accordingly presented the Bill.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 24 March, and to be printed (Bill 248).
5Social Security (Additional Payments) (No. 2) Bill: Second Reading
Bill read a second time.
6Social Security (Additional Payments) (No. 2) Bill: Programme
Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 83A(7)), That the following provisions shall apply to the Social Security (Additional Payments) (No. 2) Bill:
Committal
(1) The Bill shall be committed to a Committee of the whole House.
Proceedings in Committee, on Consideration and on Third Reading
(2) Proceedings in Committee and any proceedings on Consideration shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion two hours after the commencement of proceedings in Committee of the whole House.
(3) Proceedings on Third Reading shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion three hours after the commencement of proceedings in Committee of the whole House.
(4) Standing Order No. 83B (Programming committees) shall not apply to proceedings in Committee of the whole House, to any proceedings on Consideration or to proceedings on Third Reading.
Other proceedings
(5) Any other proceedings on the Bill may be programmed.—(Mike Wood.)
Question agreed to.
7Social Security (Additional Payments) (No. 2) Bill: Money
King’s Recommendation signified.
Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 52(1)(a)), That, for the purposes of any Act resulting from the Social Security (Additional Payments) (No. 2) Bill, it is expedient to authorise the payment out of money provided by Parliament of:
(1) a sum not exceeding £301 to anyone who is entitled, in respect of a day (the “first qualifying day”) not later than 30 April 2023, to—
(a) universal credit or state pension credit,
(b) an income-based jobseeker’s allowance, an income-related employment and support allowance or income support, or
(c) working tax credit or child tax credit;
(2) a sum not exceeding £300 to anyone who is entitled, in respect of a day (the “second qualifying day”) after the first qualifying day but not later than 31 October 2023, to a benefit mentioned in paragraph (1);
(3) a sum not exceeding £299 to anyone who is entitled, in respect of a day after the second qualifying day but not later than 29 February 2024, to a benefit mentioned in paragraph (1);
(4) a sum not exceeding £150 to anyone who is entitled, in respect of a day not later than 30 June 2023, to—
(a) a disability living allowance,
(b) a personal independence payment,
(c) an attendance allowance or a constant attendance allowance,
(d) an adult or child disability payment,
(e) an armed forces independence payment, or
(f) a mobility supplement.—(Mike Wood.)
Question agreed to.
8Statutory Instruments: Motions for Approval
(1) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Mesothelioma Lump Sum Payments (Conditions and Amounts) (Amendment) Regulations 2023, which were laid before this House on 12 January, be approved.—(Mike Wood.)
Question agreed to.
(2) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Pneumoconiosis etc. (Workers’ Compensation) (Payment of Claims) (Amendment) Regulations 2023, which were laid before this House on 12 January, be approved.—(Mike Wood.)
Question agreed to.
(3) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Alcoholic Beverages (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2023, which were laid before this House on 12 January, be approved.—(Mike Wood.)
Question agreed to.
(4) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Local Government (Structural Changes) (Supplementary Provision and Amendment) Order 2023, which was laid before this House on 12 December, be approved.—(Mike Wood.)
Question agreed to.
(5) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the Forensic Science Regulator draft Code of Practice 2023, which was laid before this House on 26 January, be approved.—(Mike Wood.)
Question agreed to.
(6) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft International Fund for Agricultural Development (Twelfth Replenishment) Order 2023, which was laid before this House on 18 January, be approved.—(Mike Wood.)
Question agreed to.
(7) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Postponement of Local Elections (Northern Ireland) Order 2023, which was laid before this House on 25 January, be approved.—(Mike Wood.)
Question agreed to.
9Changes to membership of select committees
Motion made and Question put, That Liz Twist and Jon Cruddas be discharged from the Scottish Affairs Committee and Andrew Western and Christine Jardine be added.—(Sir Bill Wiggin, on behalf of the Committee of Selection.)
The House divided.
Division No. 178
Ayes: 383 (Tellers: Jacob Young, Joy Morrissey)
Noes: 37 (Tellers: Steven Bonnar, Gavin Newlands)
Question accordingly agreed to.
Subject: Reopening of school sport facilities (Ben Bradley)
Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Mike Wood.)
Adjourned at 5.07 pm until tomorrow.
Other Proceedings
Public petitions
11A public petition from Adrian Paul relating to pharmaceutical consumer product labelling in relation to animal safety was presented.
12A public petition from Adrian Paul relating to fuel utility company fixed tariff cancellations was presented.
13A public petition from Adrian Paul relating to NHS nurses, paramedics and auxiliary staff pay rises was presented.
Changes to Notices Given
14Children’s Clothing (Value Added Tax) Bill
Order for Second Reading on Friday 24 February, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 3 March.
General Committees: Reports
15Procurement Bill [Lords] Committee
David Mundell (Chair) reported:
(1) written evidence; and
(2) the Bill, as amended.
Written evidence to be published.
Bill, as amended, to be considered tomorrow; and to be printed (Bill 249).
16Fourth Delegated Legislation Committee
Caroline Nokes (Chair) reported the draft Judicial Pensions (Fee-Paid) Judges (Amendment) Regulations 2023.
17Fifth Delegated Legislation Committee
Sir George Howarth (Chair) reported the draft Trade (Mobile Roaming) Regulations 2023.
General Committees: Appointments
18Protection from Sex-Based Harassment in Public Bill Committee
Members: Anthony Browne discharged and Duncan Baker nominated in substitution.
19Sixth Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Higher-Risk Buildings (Key Building Information etc.) (England) Regulations 2023)
Members: Conor Burns discharged and Dr Jamie Wallis nominated in substitution.
20Seventh Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Radio Equipment (Amendment) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2023)
Members: Jessica Morden discharged and Christian Wakeford nominated in substitution.
Select Committees: Reports
21Backbench Business Committee
Transcript of representations made on Tuesday 21 February to be published (Ian Mearns).
22Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee
(1) Post-pandemic economic growth: UK labour markets: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 306);
(2) Correspondence from the Minister for Enterprise and Markets relating to the Workers (Predictable Terms and Conditions) Bill: Written evidence, to be published
(3) Correspondence from the Minister of State, Department for Energy Security and Net Zero relating to the Sellafield Replacement Sea Line (RSL) lease: Written evidence, to be published;
(4) Correspondence with the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero relating to the US Inflation Reduction Act and state aid rules: Written evidence, to be published;
(Darren Jones).
(1) Ministry of Defence Annual Report and Accounts 2021–22: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 1119);
(2) Aviation procurement: Written evidence, to be published (HC 178);
(3) Correspondence with the Permanent Secretary relating to Ministry of Defence Main Estimates and Memorandum 2022–23: Written evidence, to be published
(Tobias Ellwood).
24Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee
(1) Misinformation and trusted voices: Oral evidence taken before the Sub-Committee on Online Harms and Disinformation, to be published (HC 597);
(2) Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and the blockchain: Written evidence, to be published (HC 598);
(3) The work of the BBC: Written evidence, to be published (HC 382);
(4) The work of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport: Written evidence, to be published (HC 158)
(Damian Green).
(1) Support for childcare and the early years: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 969);
(2) The future of post-16 qualifications: Written evidence, to be published (HC 55)
(Ian Mearns).
(1) The UK’s security relationship with the EU: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 1156);
(2) Correspondence from the Permanent Under-Secretary relating to the FCDO’s internal ‘Lessons Learned’ review from the Afghanistan crisis: Written evidence, to be published
(Alicia Kearns).
27Health and Social Care Committee
(1) Prevention in health and social care: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 965);
(2) Correspondence from the Office for National Statistics relating to analysis of suicides among people with terminal conditions: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Correspondence from the Patient Safety Commissioner relating to the 100 days report: Written evidence, to be published;
(4) Correspondence from the Second Permanent Secretary relating to the notification of a contingent liability: Written evidence, to be published;
(5) Correspondence with the Chief Executive Officer of Lloyds Pharmacy relating to withdrawing pharmacy services from Sainsbury’s: Written evidence, to be published;
(6) Correspondence with the Director of Property and Procurement at Sainsbury’s relating to Lloyds Pharmacy: Written evidence, to be published;
(7) Department of Health and Social Care Supplementary Estimate Memorandum 2022–23: Written evidence, to be published
(Steve Brine).
28High Speed Rail (Crewe - Manchester) Bill (Select Committee on the)
High Speed Rail (Crewe - Manchester) Bill: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 1136) (Andrew Percy).
29International Development Committee
(1) Situation for women and girls in Afghanistan: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 1087);
(2) Debt relief in low-income countries: Written evidence, to be published (HC 146);
(3) Investment for development: The UK’s strategy towards Development Finance Institutions: Written evidence, to be published (HC 884)
(Sarah Champion).
(1) Work of the Attorney General and the Solicitor General: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 1151);
(2) Correspondence from the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies Law Reform Project relating to the implementation of law reform proposals: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Correspondence from the Minister for Prisons and Probation relating to changes to Home Detention Curfew: Written evidence, to be published;
(4) Correspondence with the Minister for Courts, Legal Services and International relating to the re-designed Criminal Justice System Delivery Data Dashboard: Written evidence, to be published;
(5) HM Procurator General and Treasury Solicitor Supplementary Estimate Memorandum 2022–23: Written evidence, to be published;
(6) The future of Legal Aid: Written evidence, to be published (HC 665);
(7) The work of the Ministry of Justice: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1058)
(Sir Robert Neill).
31Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee
(1) Planning for the future of the Government’s estates: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 793);
(2) Correspondence from the Chief Operating Officer for the Civil Service and Permanent Secretary for the Cabinet Office and from the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster relating to the work of the Cabinet Office: Written evidence, to be published (HC 950);
(3) The scrutiny of international treaties and other international agreements in the 21st century: Written evidence, to be published (HC 214)
(Mr William Wragg).
(1) Fuelling the future: motive power and connectivity: Third Report, to be printed, with the formal minutes relating to the Report (HC 159);
(2) Road pricing: Government Response to the Committee’s Fourth Report of Session 2021–22: Third Special Report, to be printed (HC 1178);
(3) Correspondence with the Secretary of State for Transport relating to rail reform: Written evidence, to be published;
(4) HS2: progress update: Written evidence, to be published (HC 641);
(5) Strategic road investment: Written evidence, to be published (HC 904)
(Iain Stewart).
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, 30 January)
Resolved, That this House has considered freeport proposals for Wales.—(Virginia Crosbie.)
The sitting was suspended between 10.42 am and 11.00 am.
2Missing person case of Cathryn Holdsworth
Resolved, That this House has considered the missing person case of Cathryn Holdsworth.—(Holly Lynch.)
The sitting was suspended between 11.12 am and 2.30 pm (Standing Order No. 10(1)(b)).
3Affordability and availability of childcare
Resolved, That this House has considered the affordability and availability of childcare.—(Ruth Cadbury.)
The sitting was suspended between 3.55 pm and 4.00 pm.
4Junction 10A on the A14 at Kettering
Resolved, That this House has considered Junction 10A on the A14 at Kettering.—(Mr Philip Hollobone.)
The sitting was suspended between 4.23 pm and 4.30 pm.
5Steroid and image and performance enhancing drug use
The sitting was suspended between 4.31 pm and 4.39 pm for a division in the House (Standing Order No. 10(3)).
Resolved, That this House has considered the matter of steroid and image and performance enhancing drug use.—(Dr Luke Evans.)
Sitting adjourned without Question put (Standing Order No. 10(14)).
Adjourned at 5.27 pm until tomorrow.
Rosie Winterton
First Deputy Chairman of Ways and Means
Papers Laid
Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution
Alternative Fuel Payment Pass-through Requirement (England and Wales and Scotland) Regulations 2023 (SI, 2023, No. 178), dated 19 February 2023 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Grant Shapps)
Papers subject to Negative Resolution
National Health Service (Amendments Relating to Pre-Payment Certificates, Hormone Replacement Therapy Treatments and Medicines Shortages) Regulations 2023 (SI, 2023, No. 171), dated 20 February 2023 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum and an Impact Assessment (by Command) (Neil O’Brien)
Public Service (Civil Servants and Others) Pensions (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (SI, 2023, No. 180), dated 21 February 2023 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Alex Burghart)
Other papers
Estimates of the maximum numbers of personnel to be maintained for service with the Armed Forces for the year ending 31 March 2024 (by Command), to be printed (HC 1036) (Secretary Ben Wallace)
Report of the Organ Utilisation Group: Honouring the gift of donation: utilising organs for transplant (by Command) (CP 793) (Neil O’Brien)
Annual Report of the Press Recognition Panel on the Recognition System (by Command) (Secretary Dominic Raab)
(1) Report by the Comptroller and Auditor General on HM Courts and Tribunals Service: Progress on the courts and tribunals reform programme for 2022–23, to be printed (HC 1130) (Clerk of the House)
(2) Report by the Comptroller and Auditor General on National Audit Office briefing: Alcohol treatment services (by Act), to be printed (HC 1129) (Clerk of the House)
Report and Accounts of NHS Blood and Transplant for 2021–22, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (by Act), to be printed (HC 1097) (Neil O’Brien)
Explanatory Memorandum to the draft Occupational Pension Schemes (Administration, Investment, Charges and Governance) and Pensions Dashboards (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (by Command) (Laura Trott)
Report on proposed amendment to the Public Service (Civil Servants and Others) Pensions Regulations 2014 (by Act) (Alex Burghart)
Central Government Supply Estimates 2021–22: Statement of Excesses (by Command), to be printed (HC 1135) (John Glen)
(1) Parliamentary Works Grant: Supplementary Estimate for 2022-23: Comments from the Parliamentary Works Estimates Commission and the Treasury (by Act), to be printed (HC 1144) (First Deputy Chairman of Ways and Means).
(2) Supplementary Estimate for the Parliamentary Works Grant for 2022–23 (by Act), to be printed (HC 1145) (First Deputy Chairman of Ways and Means)
(3) Supplementary Estimate for the House of Commons Administration for 2022–23 (by Act), to be printed (HC 1112) (The Speaker)
(4) Supplementary Estimates required for Central Government Supply Estimates 2022–23 (by Command), to be printed (HC 1133) (John Glen)
(1) Estimates for which a Vote on Account is required for Central Government Supply Estimates 2023–24 (by Command), to be printed (HC 1134) (John Glen)
(2) Estimates for which a Vote on Account is required for the Electoral Commission for 2023–24 (by Act), to be printed (HC 1167) (The Speaker)
(3) Estimates for which a Vote on Account is required for the House of Commons Administration for 2023–24 (by Act), to be printed (HC 1111) (The Speaker)
(4) Estimates for which a Vote on Account is required for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority for 2023–24 (by Act), to be printed (HC 1172) (The Speaker)
(5) Estimates for which a Vote on Account is required for the Local Government Boundary Commission for England for 2023–24 (by Act), to be printed (HC 1090) (The Speaker)
(6) Vote on Account for the Parliamentary Works Grant for 2023–24 (by Act), to be printed (HC 1146) (First Deputy Chairman of Ways and Means)
Report of the Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration: A reinspection of family reunion applications: September–October 2022 (by Act) (Secretary Suella Braverman)
Withdrawn papers
Explanatory Memorandum to the draft Occupational Pension Schemes (Administration, Investment, Charges and Governance) and Pensions Dashboards (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (laid 30 January)