Contents
Chamber business
The House met at 11.30 am.
Prayers
1Questions to (1) the Secretary of State for Wales
(2) the Prime Minister
2Urgent Question: Covid pandemic: testing of care home residents (Helen Whately)
3Statements: (1) Independent Public Advocate (Secretary Dominic Raab)
(2) Türkiye and Syria earthquakes (Mr Andrew Mitchell)
4Air Pollution (Local Authority Audits) Bill: Presentation (Standing Order No. 57)
Mr Barry Sheerman, supported by Christine Jardine and Caroline Lucas, presented a Bill to make provision for local authorities to conduct annual audits of air pollution in their area and associated emissions by public and private entities; to require those local authorities to prepare reports on those audits; to require the Secretary of State to report annually to Parliament on those audit reports; and for connected purposes.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 24 March, and to be printed (Bill 257).
5National Insurance (Voluntary Class 2 and 3 Contributions) Bill: Presentation (Standing Order No. 57)
Wendy Chamberlain presented a Bill to require the Secretary of State to report to Parliament on the merits of extending to 5 April 2025 the period for which voluntary Class 2 and 3 National Insurance contributions may be paid in respect of one or more of the tax years 2006-07 to 2016-17; to require the Secretary of State to publish certain information about the performance of the Future Pension Centre in providing advice about voluntary Class 2 and 3 contributions in relation to the state pension; to require the Secretary of State to publish a strategy for increasing public awareness of voluntary Class 2 and 3 contributions; and for connected purposes.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 24 March, and to be printed (Bill 259).
6Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (Status) Bill: Presentation (Standing Order No. 57)
Dame Maria Miller, supported by Mr Ian Liddell-Grainger, Chris Elmore, Steve Brine, Julie Elliott, Harriett Baldwin, Bob Blackman, Layla Moran, Taiwo Owatemi, Sir James Duddridge and Dr Lisa Cameron, presented a Bill to provide for corporate status of and for certain privileges and immunities to be accorded to the international inter-parliamentary organisation of national and sub-national legislatures of Commonwealth countries known as the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and to its Secretary-General; and for connected purposes.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 24 March, and to be printed (Bill 260).
7Zoological Society of London (Leases) Bill: Presentation (Standing Order No. 57)
Bob Blackman, supported by Ms Karen Buck, Nickie Aiken and Sarah Champion, presented a Bill to amend the Crown Estate Act 1961 to increase the maximum term of the lease that may be granted to the Zoological Society of London in respect of land in Regent’s Park; and for connected purposes.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 24 March, and to be printed (Bill 261).
8Sexual Offences (Prohibition of Name Change): Motion for leave to bring in a Bill (Standing Order No. 23)
Ordered, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to prohibit a person subject to notification requirements under Part 2 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 from changing their name; and for connected purposes;
That Mark Fletcher, Sarah Champion, Priti Patel, Alicia Kearns, Caroline Nokes, Paul Holmes, Mr William Wragg, Sir Chris Bryant, Sir Robert Buckland, Mr David Davis, Alex Davies-Jones and Sajid Javid present the Bill.
Mark Fletcher accordingly presented the Bill.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 24 March, and to be printed (Bill 258).
9Business of the House (Today)
Ordered, That, at this day’s sitting—
(1) The Speaker shall put the Questions necessary to dispose of proceedings on the Motion in the name of Secretary Michael Gove relating to the Social Housing (Regulation) Bill [Lords] not later than 45 minutes after the commencement of proceedings on the motion for this Order; such Questions shall include the Questions on any Amendments selected by the Speaker which may then be moved; proceedings may continue, though opposed, until any hour, and may be entered upon after the moment of interruption; and Standing Order No. 41A (Deferred divisions) shall not apply; and
(2) Standing Order No. 41A (Deferred divisions) shall not apply to the Motion in the name of Penny Mordaunt relating to Estimates (Liaison Committee Recommendation).—(Jacob Young.)
10Social Housing (Regulation) Bill [Lords]
Ordered, That, notwithstanding that such provision could not have been proposed in Committee without an Instruction from the House, amendments may be proposed on consideration of the Social Housing (Regulation) Bill [Lords] to provide for the Secretary of State to make regulations specifying action that registered providers of social housing must take in relation to hazards affecting housing provided under a lease and providing for breach of such regulations to be a breach of a leasehold covenant.—(Jacob Young.)
11Social Housing (Regulation) Bill [Lords]: Consideration of the Bill, as amended in the Public Bill Committee
New Clause NC1—(Dehenna Davison)—brought up, read the first and second time, and added to the Bill.
New Clause NC2—(Dehenna Davison)—brought up, read the first and second time, and added to the Bill.
New Clause NC3—(Dehenna Davison)—brought up, read the first and second time, and added to the Bill.
New Clause NC4—(Dehenna Davison)—brought up, read the first and second time, and added to the Bill.
New Clause NC7—(Helen Hayes)—brought up, and read the first time.
Question put, That the Clause be read a second time.
The House divided.
Division No. 180
Ayes: 179 (Gerald Jones, Christian Wakeford)
Noes: 273 (Scott Mann, Robert Largan)
Question accordingly negatived.
Amendment 42 proposed.—(Helen Morgan.)
Question put, That the Amendment be made.
The House divided.
Division No. 181
Ayes: 180 (Gerald Jones, Christian Wakeford)
Noes: 273 (Scott Mann, Robert Largan)
Question accordingly negatived.
Amendments 4 to 10, 44 to 47, 11 and 12 made.
Amendment 40 proposed.—(Matthew Pennycook.)
Question put, That the Amendment be made.
The House divided.
Division No. 182
Ayes: 180 (Gerald Jones, Christian Wakeford)
Noes: 276 (Scott Mann, Robert Largan)
Question accordingly negatived.
Amendments 13, 2, 15 to 34, 14, 35, 1 and 3 made.
Title accordingly amended as follows: A Bill to make provision about the regulation of social housing; about the terms of approved schemes for the investigation of housing complaints; about the powers and duties of a housing ombudsman appointed under an approved scheme; about hazards affecting social housing; and for connected purposes.
Consideration completed.
12Social Housing (Regulation) Bill [Lords]: Third Reading
Bill read the third time and passed with Amendments.
13Estimates (Liaison Committee Recommendation)
Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 145(3)), That this House agrees with the Report of the Liaison Committee of 27 February:
That a day not later than 18 March be allotted for the consideration of the following Estimates for the financial year 2022–23: Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, insofar as it relates to adult social care; and Department for Education, insofar as it relates to childcare and early years.—(Fay Jones.)
Question agreed to.
14Statutory Instruments: Motions for Approval
(1) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Airports Slot Allocation (Alleviation of Usage Requirements) Regulations 2023, which were laid before this House on 31 January, be approved.—(Fay Jones.)
Question agreed to.
(2) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Direct Payments to Farmers (Reductions) (England) Regulations 2023, which were laid before this House on 31 January, be approved.—(Fay Jones.)
Question agreed to.
(3) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Agriculture (Financial Assistance) (Amendment) Regulations 2023, which were laid before this House on 31 January, be approved.—(Fay Jones.)
Question agreed to.
Subject: Work of the Law Commission (Sir Robert Buckland)
Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Fay Jones.)
Adjourned at 5.45 pm until tomorrow.
Other Proceedings
Public petitions
16A public petition from Craig Bulman relating to child maintenance services was presented.
17A public petition from Craig Bulman relating to attachment of earnings orders was presented.
18A public petition from Craig Bulman relating to the Child Support Act was presented.
General Committees: Reports
19Child Support (Enforcement) Bill Committee
Hannah Bardell (Chair) reported the Bill without amendment.
Bill, not amended, to be considered on Friday 17 March.
20Powers of Attorney Bill Committee
Mrs Sheryll Murray (Chair) reported the Bill without amendment.
Bill, not amended, to be considered on Friday 17 March.
21Sixth Delegated Legislation Committee
Sir Robert Syms (Chair) reported the draft Special Immigration Appeals Commission (Procedure) (Amendment) Rules 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).
22Ballot Secrecy Bill [Lords] Committee
(1) Chair: Steve McCabe
(2) Members: Debbie Abrahams, Mike Amesbury, Bob Blackman, Paul Bristow, Miriam Cates, James Daly, Wayne David, Antony Higginbotham, Jane Hunt, Christine Jardine, Dr Caroline Johnson, Robbie Moore, Alex Norris, Ian Paisley, Lee Rowley, Cat Smith and Kelly Tolhurst
23Animals (Low-Welfare Activities Abroad) Bill Committee
(1) Chair: Graham Stringer
(2) Members: Simon Baynes, Olivia Blake, Mr Ben Bradshaw, Dr Lisa Cameron, Mrs Flick Drummond, Katherine Fletcher, Ms Harriet Harman, John Howell, Jane Hunt, Andrew Lewer, Chris Loder, Luke Pollard, Rebecca Pow, Angela Richardson, Dean Russell, Alyn Smith and Derek Twigg
24Workers (Predictable Terms and Conditions) Bill Committee
(1) Chair: Sir Robert Syms
(2) Members: Gareth Bacon, Scott Benton, Miriam Cates, Ashley Dalton, Margaret Ferrier, Vicky Ford, Mr Marcus Fysh, Kevin Hollinrake, Tom Hunt, Grahame Morris, Charlotte Nichols, Angela Richardson, Rob Roberts, Jane Stevenson, Graham Stringer, Andrew Western and Craig Whittaker
25First Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Medical Devices and Blood Safety and Quality (Fees Amendment) Regulations 2023)
(1) Chair: Sir George Howarth
(2) Members: Sarah Atherton, Duncan Baker, Anthony Browne, Feryal Clark, Martyn Day, Mary Kelly Foy, Barry Gardiner, Margaret Greenwood, Emma Hardy, Gordon Henderson, Fay Jones, Chris Loder, Mark Menzies, Damien Moore, Will Quince, Christian Wakeford and Sir John Whittingdale
26Second Delegated Legislation Committee (draft National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Regulations 2023)
(1) Chair: Mr Philip Hollobone
(2) Members: Bim Afolami, Mr John Baron, Samantha Dixon, Michael Ellis, Sir David Evennett, Patrick Grady, Stephen Hammond, Kevin Hollinrake, Andy McDonald, John McDonnell, Justin Madders, Taiwo Owatemi, Alexander Stafford, Zarah Sultana, Giles Watling, Craig Whittaker and Mike Wood
27Third Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Occupational Pension Schemes (Administration, Investment, Charges and Governance) and Pensions Dashboards (Amendment) Regulations 2023)
(1) Chair: Esther McVey
(2) Members: Siobhan Baillie, Robert Courts, Rosie Duffield, Ruth Edwards, George Eustice, Dan Jarvis, Daniel Kawczynski, Ian Lavery, Mr Ian Liddell-Grainger, David Linden, Navendu Mishra, Matt Rodda, John Spellar, Laura Trott, Shailesh Vara, James Wild and Sir Jeremy Wright
Select Committees: Reports
28Environmental Audit Committee
(1) Sustainable timber and deforestation: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 637);
(2) Correspondence with the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on the introduction of a deposit return scheme in England: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Environmental change and food security: Written evidence, to be published (HC 880);
(4) Environmental compliance and enforcement: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1092)
(Philip Dunne).
Ministerial correspondence: Written evidence, to be published (HC 119) (Sir William Cash).
(1) Policing priorities: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 635);
(2) Home Office Supplementary Estimate Memorandum 2022–23: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) National Crime Agency Supplementary Estimate Memorandum 2022–23: Written evidence, to be published
(Dame Diana Johnson).
31Human Rights (Joint Committee on)
(1) Legislative Scrutiny: Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Bill 2022–2023:
(i) Tenth Report, to be printed, with the formal minutes relating to the Report (HC 1088);
(ii) Written evidence, to be published (HC 1088);
(2) Legislative Scrutiny: Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill: Government Response to the Committee’s Sixth Report: Fourth Special Report, to be printed (HC 1179);
(3) The Violation of Family Life: Adoption of Children of Unmarried Women 1949–1976: Government Response to the Committee’s Third Report: Fifth Special Report, to be printed (HC 1088);
(4) Children’s Commissioner: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1046)
(Joanna Cherry).
32International Trade Committee
(1) Trade and the environment: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 75);
(2) Correspondence from the Minister for International Trade relating to trade measures to support the Ukrainian economy: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Correspondence with the Secretary of State: Written evidence, to be published;
(4) Department for International Trade Supplementary Estimate Memorandum 2022–23: Written evidence, to be published
(Angus Brendan MacNeil).
33Northern Ireland Affairs Committee
(1) The effectiveness of the institutions of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 781);
(2) Northern Ireland Office Supplementary Estimate Memorandum 2022–23: Written evidence, to be published
(Simon Hoare).
34Science and Technology Committee
(1) UK space strategy and UK satellite infrastructure: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 100);
(2) Correspondence with the Leader of the House of Commons relating to machinery of government changes: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Correspondence with the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology relating to her appointment: Written evidence, to be published;
(4) Evidence base of Parole Board decisions: Written evidence, to be published (HC 712)
(Greg Clark).
35Statutory Instruments (Joint Committee on)
Twenty-eighth Report, to be printed, with the formal minutes relating to the Report (HC 4-xxviii) (Jessica Morden).
Strategic road investment: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 904) (Iain Stewart).
Tax reliefs: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 723) (Harriett Baldwin).
(1) Floating Offshore Wind in Wales: Second Report, to be printed, with the formal minutes relating to the Report (HC 827);
(2) Broadcasting in Wales: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 620);
(3) Nuclear energy in Wales: Written evidence, to be published (HC 240);
(4) Office of the Secretary of State for Wales Supplementary Estimate Memorandum 2022–23: Written evidence, to be published
(Stephen Crabb).
39Women and Equalities Committee
(1) Work of the Minister for Women and Equalities: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 1068);
(2) Black maternal health: Written evidence, to be published (HC 94)
(3) Correspondence with the Director of the Government Equality Hub relating to financial and staff reporting: Written evidence to be published;
(4) Correspondence with the EHRC relating to the Commission’s refusal to appear before the Committee to give oral evidence: Written evidence, to be published;
(5) Correspondence with the Minister for Women and Equalities relating to banning conversion practices: Written evidence to be published;
(6) Correspondence with UK-based national human rights institutions relating to the Universal Periodic Review: Written evidence, to be published;
(7) Menopause and the workplace: Written evidence, to be published (HC 91);
(8) Preventing violence against women and girls: Written evidence, to be published
(Caroline Nokes).
State pension age review: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1125) (Sir Stephen Timms).
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, 23 February)
1Health and wellbeing services in the East of England
Resolved, That this House has considered health and wellbeing services in the East of England.—(Priti Patel.)
The sitting was suspended between 10.55 am and 11.00 am.
2Transparency of charity sector funding
Resolved, That this House has considered the transparency of charity sector funding.—(Craig Mackinlay.)
The sitting was suspended between 11.28 am and 2.30 pm (Standing Order No. 10(1)(b)).
3Anniversary of the Homes for Ukraine scheme
Resolved, That this House has considered the anniversary of the Homes for Ukraine scheme.—(Olivia Blake.)
The sitting was suspended between 3.38 pm and 4.00 pm.
4Authorised push payment fraud
Resolved, That this House has considered the matter of authorised push payment fraud.—(Kirsten Oswald.)
The sitting was suspended between 4.26 pm and 4.30 pm.
5Tackling poverty and the cost of food
The sitting was suspended between 4.32 pm and 5.07 pm for divisions in the House (Standing Order No. 10(3)).
Motion made and Question proposed, That this House has considered the matter of tackling poverty and the cost of food.—(Lee Anderson.)
The Chair announced a time limit on backbench speeches (under the authority of the First Deputy Chairman of Ways and Means and Standing Order No. 47(1)).
Resolved, That this House has considered the matter of tackling poverty and the cost of food.
Sitting adjourned without Question put (Standing Order No. 10(14)).
Adjourned at 6.01 pm until tomorrow.
Rosie Winterton
First Deputy Chairman of Ways and Means
Papers Laid
Papers subject to Negative Resolution
Exotic Equine Diseases (Compensation) (England) Order 2023 (SI, 2023, No. 230), dated 27 February 2023 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Thérèse Coffey)
Building Safety Act 2022 (Consequential Amendments and Prescribed Functions) and Architects Act 1997 (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (SI, 2023, No. 229), dated 27 February 2023 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Lee Rowley)
Armed Forces (Driving Disqualification Orders) Regulations 2023 (SI, 2023, No. 209), dated 23 February 2023 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Dr Andrew Murrison)
Oil and Gas Authority (Levy and Fees) Regulation 2023 (SI, 2023, No. 228), dated 23 February 2023 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Grant Shapps)
(1) Loans for Mortgage Interest (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (SI, 2023, No. 226), dated 27 February 2023 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Mims Davies)
(2) Social Security Benefits (Claims and Payments) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (SI, 2023, No. 232), dated 28 February 2023 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Guy Opperman)
Other papers
Report by the Comptroller and Auditor General on Cross-government: Pensions transferred to AEA Technology when it was privatised (by Act), to be printed (HC 1169) (Clerk of the House)
Northern Ireland Main Estimates 2022–2023 (by Command) (CP 803) (Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris)
Statutory Guidance: Pre-charge bail (by Act) (Secretary Suella Braverman)
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: Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Commodity Derivatives and Emission Allowances) Order 2023 (by Command) (Andrew Griffith)
Convention, done at Rome on 12 March 2019, on establishing the Square Kilometre Array Observatory (by Command) (CP 808) (Secretary James Cleverly)
Agreement, done at London on 18 March 2022, between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of Canada on Customs Cooperation and Mutual Assistance in Customs Matters (by Command) (CP 809) (Secretary James Cleverly)
CORRECTIONS
Friday 24 February 2023
The following entry should have appeared as item 28 in Other Proceedings:
Select Committees: Reports
European Scrutiny Committee
Correspondence with the Secretary of State for Business and Trade relating to retained EU law: Written evidence, to be published (Sir William Cash).
Tuesday 28 February 2023
Item 41(3) should have read:
Bank of England Financial Stability Reports: Written evidence, to be published (HC 140)