Contents
Chamber business
The House met at 11.30 am.
Prayers
1Questions to the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero
2Urgent Question: Unauthorised disclosure of classified documents in the US (James Heappey)
3Statement: Machetes consultation (Chris Philp)
4Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (Status) (No. 2) 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 16 June, and to be printed (Bill 292).
5Public office (child sexual abuse): Motion for leave to bring in a Bill (Standing Order No. 23)
Ordered, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to make provision for the purpose of preventing a person who has failed to discharge a duty in respect of child sexual abuse offences from holding any elected office, from holding public office and from holding any post the remuneration of which is paid out of money provided by Parliament; to provide for the disqualification from any elected or appointed office of a person who has been convicted of child sexual abuse offences; to provide for the removal of a peerage from a person who has been convicted of child sexual abuse offences; and for connected purposes;
That Alexander Stafford, Priti Patel, Nick Fletcher, Alun Cairns, Vicky Ford, Robbie Moore, Miriam Cates, Sir James Duddridge, Kelly Tolhurst, Andrew Selous, Greg Smith and Andrea Jenkyns present the Bill.
Alexander Stafford accordingly presented the Bill.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 24 November, and to be printed (Bill 291).
6Finance (No. 2) Bill: Committee of the whole House (first day)
The House resolved itself into a committee (Programme Order, 29 March).
(In the Committee)
Clause 5 agreed to.
Clauses 6 to 10 agreed to.
Schedule 1 (Relief for research and development)
Amendment 14 made.
Schedule 1, as amended, agreed to.
Clauses 11 to 15, Clauses 121 to 125 and Schedule 14, Clauses 126 and 127 and Schedule 15 and Clauses 128 to 173 agreed to.
Clause 174 (Amount of covered tax balance)
Amendment 12 made.
Clause 174, as amended, agreed to.
Clauses 175 to 222 agreed to.
Clause 223 (Adjustments)
Amendment 13 made.
Clause 223, as amended, agreed to.
Clauses 224 to 260 agreed to.
Schedule 16 (Multi-national top-up tax: transitional provision)
Amendments 15 to 20 made.
Schedule 16, as amended, agreed to.
Clause 261 and Schedule 17, Clauses 262 to 275 and Schedule 18 and Clauses 276 and 277 agreed to.
New Clause NC1—(James Murray)—brought up, and read the first time.
Question put, That the Clause be read a second time.
The Committee divided.
Division No. 209
Ayes: 227 (Tellers: Liz Twist, Colleen Fletcher)
Noes: 306 (Tellers: Ruth Edwards, Jacob Young)
Question accordingly negatived.
New Clause NC3—(James Murray)—brought up, and read the first time.
Question put, That the Clause be read a second time.
The Committee divided.
Division No. 210
Ayes: 233 (Tellers: Liz Twist, Colleen Fletcher)
Noes: 302 (Tellers: Jacob Young, Ruth Edwards)
Question accordingly negatived.
New Clause NC6—(James Murray)—brought up, and read the first time.
Question put, That the Clause be read a second time.
The Committee divided.
Division No. 211
Ayes: 232 (Tellers: Liz Twist, Colleen Fletcher)
Noes: 299 (Tellers: Jacob Young, Ruth Edwards)
Question accordingly negatived.
The occupant of the Chair left the Chair to report progress and ask leave to sit again (Programme Order, 29 March).
The Deputy Speaker resumed the Chair.
Andrew Stephenson reported, That the Committee had made progress in the Bill, and moved, That the Committee may have leave to sit again.
Committee again tomorrow.
7Statutory Instruments: Motion for Approval
Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Microchipping of Cats and Dogs (England) Regulations 2023, which were laid before this House on 13 March, be approved.—(Andrew Stephenson.)
Question agreed to.
A public petition from residents of the constituency of Coventry South relating to a local post office closure was presented and read by Zarah Sultana.
Subject: Abuse of autistic people and people with learning disabilities in inpatient settings (Barbara Keeley)
Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Andrew Stephenson.)
Adjourned at 5.50 pm until tomorrow.
Other Proceedings
Select Committees: Reports
10Backbench Business Committee
Transcript of representations made on Tuesday 18 April to be published (Ian Mearns).
11Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee
(1) Post-pandemic economic growth: UK labour markets:
(i) Tenth Report, to be printed, with the formal minutes relating to the Report (HC 306);
(ii) Written evidence, to be published (HC 306);
(2) Correspondence from the Minister of State at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Correspondence from the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology relating to Horizon Europe: Written evidence, to be published
(Darren Jones).
(1) The Integrated Review Refresh: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 1246);
(2) Correspondence from the Minister for Defence Procurement, relating to HMS Prince of Wales defect investigation outcome: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Work of the Chief of the Air Staff: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1102)
(Mr Tobias Ellwood).
13Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee
(1) Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and the blockchain: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 598);
(2) Correspondence with the Secretary of State for Energy and Net Zero: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Sport governance: Written evidence, to be published (HC 812)
(Julian Knight).
(1) Support for childcare and the early years: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 969);
(2) Government proposals for compulsory maths to age 18: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1059);
(3) Persistent absence and support for disadvantaged pupils: Written evidence, to be published (HC 970)
(Mr Robin Walker).
(1) Critical minerals: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 1095);
(2) Correspondence from the Minister of State for Development and Africa relating to ODA allocations: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Correspondence from the Secretary of State for the Home Department relating to Afghans seeking sanctuary in the UK: Written evidence, to be published
(Alicia Kearns).
16Health and Social Care Committee
*This item has been corrected since publication. See the correction in the Votes and Proceedings relating to Thursday 20 April 2023”. Do not delete the correction in the 20th April V&P.
(1) Follow-up on the IMMDS report and the Government’s response: Government Response to the Committee's Sixth Report of Session 2022–23: Fifth Special Report, to be printed (HC 1286);
(2) Workforce: recruitment, training and retention in Health and Social Care: Government Response to the Committee's Third Report of Session 2022–23: Sixth Special Report, to be printed (HC 1289);
(3) Expert Panel: evaluation of Government’s commitments in the area of the health and social care workforce: Government Response to the Committee's Third Special Report of Session 2022–23: Seventh Special Report, to be printed (HC 1290);
(4) Prevention in health and social care: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 965);
(5) Correspondence from the Minister of State for Social Care relating to the Older People’s Housing Taskforce: Written evidence, to be published;
(6) Correspondence from the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State relating to HSIB’s maternity investigation programme: Written evidence, to be published;
(7) Correspondence from the Rt Hon Patricia Hewitt relating to the Hewitt Review: Written evidence, to be published
(Steve Brine).
17High 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).
18International Development Committee
(1) Work of the Independent Commission for Aid Impact (ICAI): Oral evidence, to be published (HC 1256);
(2) Correspondence with the Minister for Development and Africa relating to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) handling of allegations of sexual exploitation and harassment in DRC: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Investment for development: The UK’s strategy towards development finance institutions: Written evidence, to be published (HC 884);
(4) UK aid for refugee host countries: Written evidence, to be published (HC 426);
(5) WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene): Written evidence, to be published (HC 1174)
(Sarah Champion).
(1) Former Chair of the Independent Advisory Panel on Deaths in Custody: Chair’s end of term report: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 1260);
(2) The prison operational workforce: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 917);
(3) Correspondence from HM Chief Inspector of Prisons relating to a report on weekends in prison: Written evidence, to be published;
(4) Correspondence from HM Prisons and Probation Service relating to newly published studies: Written evidence, to be published;
(5) Correspondence from the Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice relating to the Parole Board Rules 2019: Written evidence, to be published;
(6) Correspondence from the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Justice relating to the Law Commission review of the law on financial remedies on divorce and dissolution: Written evidence, to be published;
(7) Correspondence from the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Justice relating to the United Nations Universal Periodic Review: Written evidence, to be published;
(8) Pre-legislative scrutiny of the draft Victims Bill: Written evidence, to be published (HC 304);
(9) Proposed changes to the Totality sentencing guideline: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1188)
(Sir Robert Neill).
(1) Correspondence with the Director-General, BBC relating to funding of BBC Parliament: Written evidence to be published;
(2) Correspondence with the Prime Minister relating to his appearance before the Committee on 28 March: Written evidence to be published (HC 1222)
(Sir Bernard Jenkin).
(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
(Catherine McKinnell).
22Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee
(1) Work of the Civil Service Commission: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 1227);
(2) Correspondence from the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster relating to the guidance on the use of non-corporate communication channels: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Correspondence from the Civil Service Chief Operating Officer and Cabinet Office Permanent Secretary relating to the publication of the Civil Service People Survey 2022: Written evidence, to be published;
(4) Correspondence from the Minister for Levelling Up relating to devolution proposals for Surrey: Written evidence, to be published;
(5) Correspondence from the Minister of State for the Cabinet Office relating to the publication of the Border Target Operating Model: Written evidence, to be published;
(6) Correspondence from the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities relating to the publication of the Intergovernmental Relations Annual Transparency Report: 1 January – 31 December 2022: Written evidence, to be published;
(7) Correspondence with the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster relating to the overdue Government response to the Committee’s Third Report of Session 2022–23: Written evidence, to be published;
(8) Correspondence with the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities and Minister for Intergovernmental Relations relating to the request for follow up evidence to the Committee’s inquiry into Work of the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities: Written evidence, to be published
(Mr William Wragg).
(1) Minimum service levels for rail: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1153);
(2) Strategic road investment: Written evidence, to be published (HC 904)
(Iain Stewart).
(1) Quantitative tightening: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 1116);
(2) Correspondence from the Economic Secretary to the Treasury relating to the Financial Promotions Order: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Greenwashing: sustainability disclosure requirements: Written evidence, taken before the Sub-Committee on Financial Services Regulations, to be published (HC 1150);
(4) Retail Banks: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1117)
(Harriett Baldwin).
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))
1Religious minorities in Nigeria
Resolved, That this House has considered religious minorities in Nigeria.—(Jim Shannon.)
The sitting was suspended between 10.47 am and 11.00 am.
2Radioactive contamination and remediation works at Dalgety Bay
Resolved, That this House has considered radioactive contamination and remediation works at Dalgety Bay.—(Neale Hanvey.)
The sitting was suspended between 11.16 am and 2.30 pm (Standing Order No. 10(1)(b)).
Resolved, That this House has considered the matter of farming on Dartmoor.—(Sir Geoffrey Cox.)
The sitting was suspended between 3.47 pm and 4.00 pm.
4Parish and town council precepts
Motion made and Question proposed, That this House has considered parish and town council precepts.—(David Morris.)
At 4.30 pm, the Motion lapsed (Standing Order No. 10(6)).
5Research and development funding and Horizon Europe
The sitting was suspended between 4.33 pm and 5.09 pm for divisions in the House (Standing Order No. 10(3)).
Resolved, That this House has considered research and development funding and Horizon Europe.—(Paul Blomfield.)
Sitting adjourned without Question put (Standing Order No. 10(14)).
Adjourned at 6.08 pm until tomorrow.
Eleanor Laing
Chairman of Ways and Means
Papers Laid
Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution
Draft Animal By-Products, Pet Passport and Animal Health (Fees) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Thérèse Coffey)
Papers subject to Negative Resolution
Customs Tariff (Preferential Trade Arrangements and Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2023 (SI, 2023, No. 433), dated 17 April 2023 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Victoria Atkins)
(1) Draft Maidstone (Electoral Changes) Order 2023 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (The Speaker)
(2) Draft Redditch (Electoral Changes) Order 2023 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (The Speaker)
(3) Draft Stevenage (Electoral Changes) Order 2023 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (The Speaker)
National Health Service (General Medical Services Contracts and Personal Medical Services Agreements) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (SI, 2023, No. 436), dated 17 April 2023 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Neil O'Brien)
Other papers
Agreement, done at Santiago on 30 January 2019, between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of the Republic of Chile on Trade in Organic Products (by Command) (CP 831) (Secretary James Cleverly)