Contents
Chamber business
The House met at 11.30 am.
Prayers
1Speaker's Statement: Election of Chair of the Culture, Media and Sport Committee
2Questions to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care
3Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill: Presentation (Standing Order No. 57)
Secretary Kemi Badenoch, supported by the Prime Minister, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Secretary Michelle Donelan, Secretary Lucy Frazer, Kevin Hollinrake, Paul Scully and Julia Lopez, presented a Bill to provide for the regulation of competition in digital markets; to amend the Competition Act 1998 and the Enterprise Act 2002 and to make other provision about competition law; to make provision relating to the protection of consumer rights and to confer further such rights; and for connected purposes.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time tomorrow, and to be printed (Bill 294) with Explanatory Notes (Bill 294–EN).
4Universal Jurisdiction (Extension): Motion for leave to bring in a Bill (Standing Order No. 23)
Ordered, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to provide that offences of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes may be tried in the United Kingdom regardless of the nationality or residence of the offender; and for connected purposes;
That Brendan O'Hara, Drew Hendry, Caroline Lucas, Liz Saville Roberts, Kirsty Blackman, Claire Hanna, Patrick Grady, Jim Shannon, Ben Lake, Patricia Gibson, and Stewart Malcolm McDonald present the Bill.
Brendan O'Hara accordingly presented the Bill.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 24 November, and to be printed (Bill 296).
5Opposition Day: Leader of the Opposition (14th allotted day (Standing Order No. 14))
(1) Water quality (sewage discharge)
Motion made and Question proposed, That this House calls on the Government to set a target for the reduction of sewage discharges, to provide for financial penalties in relation to sewage discharges and breaches of monitoring requirements, and to carry out an impact assessment of sewage discharges; and makes provision as set out in this Order:
(1) On Tuesday 2 May 2023:
(a) Standing Order No. 14(1) (which provides that government business shall have precedence at every sitting save as provided in that Order) shall not apply;
(b) any proceedings governed by this Order may be proceeded with until any hour, though opposed, and shall not be interrupted;
(c) the Speaker may not propose the question on the previous question, and may not put any question under Standing Order No. 36 (Closure of debate) or Standing Order No. 163 (Motion to sit in private);
(d) at 6.00pm, the Speaker shall interrupt any business prior to the business governed by this Order and call the Member for Oldham West and Royton or another Member on his behalf to move the motion that the Water Quality (Sewage Discharge) Bill be now read a second time as if it were an order of the House;
(e) in respect of that Bill, notices of Amendments, new Clauses and new Schedules to be moved in Committee may be accepted by the Clerks at the Table before the Bill has been read a second time.
(f) any proceedings interrupted or superseded by this Order may be resumed or (as the case may be) entered upon and proceeded with after the moment of interruption.
(2) The provisions of paragraphs (3) to (18) of this Order shall apply to and in connection with the proceedings on the Water Quality (Sewage Discharge) Bill in the present Session of Parliament.
Timetable for the Bill on Tuesday 2 May 2023
(3)(a) Proceedings on Second Reading and in Committee of the whole House, any proceedings on Consideration and proceedings up to and including Third Reading shall be taken at the sitting on Tuesday 2 May 2023 in accordance with this Order.
(b) Proceedings on Second Reading shall be brought to a conclusion (so far as not previously concluded) at 8.00pm.
(c) Proceedings in Committee of the whole House, any proceedings on Consideration and proceedings up to and including Third Reading shall be brought to a conclusion (so far as not previously concluded) at 10.00pm.
Timing of proceedings and Questions to be put on Tuesday 2 May 2023
(4) When the Bill has been read a second time:
(a) it shall, notwithstanding 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.
(5)(a) On the conclusion of proceedings in Committee of the whole House, the Chairman 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.
(6) For the purpose of bringing any proceedings to a conclusion in accordance with paragraph (3), the Chairman 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, new clause or new schedule selected by The Chairman or Speaker for separate decision;
(d) the Question on any amendment moved or Motion made by a designated Member;
(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 (15) of this Order.
(7) On a Motion made for a new Clause or a new Schedule, the Chairman or Speaker shall put only the Question that the Clause or Schedule be added to the Bill.
Consideration of Lords Amendments and Messages on a subsequent day
(8) If on any future sitting day any message on the Bill (other than a message that the House of Lords agrees with the Bill without amendment or agrees with any message from this House) is expected from the House of Lords, this House shall not adjourn until that message has been received and any proceedings under paragraph (9) have been concluded.
(9) On any day on which such a message is received, if a designated Member indicates to the Speaker an intention to proceed to consider that message—
(a) notwithstanding Standing Order No. 14(1) any Lords Amendments to the Bill or any further Message from the Lords on the Bill may be considered forthwith without any Question being put; and any proceedings interrupted for that purpose shall be suspended accordingly;
(b) proceedings on consideration of Lords Amendments or on any further Message from the Lords shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion one hour after their commencement; and any proceedings suspended under subparagraph (a) shall thereupon be resumed;
(c) the Speaker may not propose the question on the previous question, and may not put any question under Standing Order No. 36 (Closure of debate) or Standing Order No. 163 (Motion to sit in private) in the course of those proceedings.
(10) Paragraphs (2) to (7) of Standing Order No. 83F (Programme Orders: conclusion of proceedings on consideration of Lords amendments) apply for the purposes of bringing any proceedings on consideration of Lords Amendments to a conclusion as if:
(a) any reference to a Minister of the Crown were a reference to a designated Member;
(b) after paragraph (4)(a) there is inserted—
“(aa) the question on any amendment or motion selected by the Speaker for separate decision;”.
(11) Paragraphs (2) to (5) of Standing Order No. 83G (Programme Orders: conclusion of proceedings on further messages from the Lords) apply for the purposes of bringing any proceedings on consideration of a Lords Message to a conclusion as if any reference to a Minister of the Crown were a reference to a designated Member.
Reasons Committee
(12) Paragraphs (2) to (6) of Standing Order No. 83H (Programme Orders: reasons committee) apply in relation to any committee to be appointed to draw up reasons after proceedings have been brought to a conclusion in accordance with this Order as if any reference to a Minister of the Crown were a reference to a designated Member.
(13) Standing Order No. 82 (Business Committee) shall not apply in relation to any proceedings on the Bill to which this Order applies.
(14)(a) No Motion shall be made, except by a designated Member, 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.
(15)(a) No dilatory Motion shall be made in relation to proceedings on the Bill to which this Order applies except by a designated Member.
(b) The Question on any such Motion shall be put forthwith.
(16) Proceedings to which this Order applies shall not be interrupted under any Standing Order relating to the sittings of the House.
(17) No private business may be considered at any sitting to which the provisions of this Order apply.
(18)(a) The start of any debate under Standing Order No. 24 (Emergency debates) to be held on a day on which proceedings to which this Order applies are to take place shall be postponed until the conclusion of any proceedings to which this Order applies.
(b) Standing Order 15 In line 4 (1) (Exempted business) shall apply in respect of any such debate.
(19) In this Order, “a designated Member” means—
(a) the Member for Oldham West and Royton; and
(b) any other Member acting on behalf of the Member for Oldham West and Royton.
(20) This Order shall be a Standing Order of the House.—(Jim McMahon.)
Amendment proposed, Line 3, to leave out from “discharges” to end.—(Secretary Thérèse Coffey.)
Question proposed, That the amendment be made.
The Deputy Speaker announced a time limit on backbench speeches (Standing Order No. 47(1)).
Question put, That the amendment be made.
The House divided.
Division No. 217
Ayes: 290 (Tellers: Robert Largan, Fay Jones)
Noes: 188 (Tellers: Navendu Mishra, Gerald Jones)
Question accordingly agreed to.
Main Question, as amended, put.
The House divided.
Division No. 218
Ayes: 286 (Tellers: Robert Largan, Fay Jones)
Noes: 0 (Tellers: Sir Robert Goodwill, Gareth Jones)
Question accordingly agreed to.
Resolved, That this House calls on the Government to set a target for the reduction of sewage discharges, to provide for financial penalties in relation to sewage discharges and breaches of monitoring requirements, and to carry out an impact assessment of sewage discharges.
(2) Cost of living increases
Motion made and Question proposed, That this House condemns successive Conservative Governments for their mismanagement of the economy over 13 years; regrets that this has resulted in the UK being the only G7 economy that is still smaller than before the pandemic, with squeezed wages and higher mortgage rates that have increased costs by £500 a month for some households; further regrets that successive Chancellors have made working people pay for the Government’s economic failure with 24 tax rises since 2019, creating the highest tax burden in 70 years, while refusing to abolish the non-domicile tax loophole; is extremely concerned about the impact on household budgets of an inflation rate of more than 10 per cent with food prices rising at their fastest rate in 45 years; therefore calls on the Government to ease the cost of living crisis by freezing council tax this year, paid for by an extended windfall tax on oil and gas company profits; further calls on the Government to cut business rates for small businesses and support energy intensive industries including food manufacturers with their energy bills to help bring down the cost of everyday items; and finally calls on the Government to adopt Labour’s economic mission to secure the highest sustained growth in the G7 with good jobs in every part of the country.—(Tulip Siddiq.)
Amendment proposed, Leave out from “House” to end and add:
“welcomes the Government’s action to halve inflation, grow the economy and reduce debt; supports the Government’s extensive efforts to support families up and down the country with the cost of living through significant support to help with rising prices, worth an average of £3,300 per household including direct cash payments of at least £900 to the eight million most vulnerable households; notes the use of a windfall tax on energy firm’s profits to pay around half of the typical family’s energy bill through the Energy Price Guarantee, also notes the fact that the Government has frozen fuel duty for 13 consecutive years to support motorists; welcomes the expansion of free childcare to all eligible parents of children aged nine months to four years old; and notes that Labour will fail to grip inflation or boost economic growth, with their plans for the economy simply leading to unfunded spending, higher debt and uncontrolled migration.”—(John Glen.)
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)).
Sir Alan Campbell claimed to move the closure (Standing Order No. 36).
Question put, That the Question be now put.
Question agreed to.
Question accordingly put, That the original words stand part of the Question.
The House divided.
Division No. 219
Ayes: 214 (Tellers: Liz Twist, Taiwo Owatemi)
Noes: 288 (Tellers: Fay Jones, Robert Largan)
Question accordingly negatived.
Question put forthwith, That the proposed words be there added (Standing Order No. 31(2)).
The House divided.
Division No. 220
Ayes: 285 (Tellers: Fay Jones, Robert Largan)
Noes: 0 (Tellers: Sir Robert Goodwill, Chris Clarkson)
Question accordingly 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 action to halve inflation, grow the economy and reduce debt; supports the Government’s extensive efforts to support families up and down the country with the cost of living through significant support to help with rising prices, worth an average of £3,300 per household including direct cash payments of at least £900 to the eight million most vulnerable households; notes the use of a windfall tax on energy firm’s profits to pay around half of the typical family’s energy bill through the Energy Price Guarantee, also notes the fact that the Government has frozen fuel duty for 13 consecutive years to support motorists; welcomes the expansion of free childcare to all eligible parents of children aged nine months to four years old; and notes that Labour will fail to grip inflation or boost economic growth, with their plans for the economy simply leading to unfunded spending, higher debt and uncontrolled migration.
6Statutory Instruments: Motions for Approval
(1) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Register of Overseas Entities (Definition of Foreign Limited Partner, Protection and Rectification) Regulations 2023, which were laid before this House on 15 March, be approved.—(Andrew Stephenson.)
Question agreed to.
(2) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Code of Practice on the Recording and Retention of Personal Data in relation to Non-Crime Hate Incidents, which was laid before this House on 13 March, be approved.—(Andrew Stephenson.)
Question agreed to.
7Sittings in Westminster Hall (2 and 9 May)
Resolved, That, notwithstanding the provisions of Standing Order No. 10(2)(b)—
(a) the sitting in Westminster Hall on Tuesday 2 May shall begin at 3.30pm and may continue for up to three hours; and
(b) the sitting in Westminster Hall on Tuesday 9 May shall begin at 11.30am, shall be suspended from 1.30pm to 4.30pm, and may then continue for up to a further three hours.—(Andrew Stephenson.)
Subject: City centre security measures and access for disabled people (Rachael Maskell)
Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Andrew Stephenson.)
Adjourned at 7.53 pm until tomorrow.
Other Proceedings
Lords Messages
The Lords have passed a bill to make provision about energy production and security and the regulation of the energy market, including provision about the licensing of carbon dioxide transport and storage; about commercial arrangements for industrial carbon capture and storage and for hydrogen production; about new technology, including low-carbon heat schemes and hydrogen grid trials; about the Independent System Operator and Planner; about gas and electricity industry codes; about heat networks; about energy smart appliances and load control; about the energy performance of premises; about energy savings opportunity schemes; about the resilience of the core fuel sector; about offshore energy production, including environmental protection, licensing and decommissioning; about the civil nuclear sector, including the Civil Nuclear Constabulary and pensions; and for connected purposes, to which they desire the agreement of the Commons.
First Reading and Printing of Lords Bills
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 24 November, and to be printed (Bill 297).
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time tomorrow; and to be printed (Bill 295), with Explanatory Notes (Bill 295–EN).
Select Committees: Reports
12Backbench Business Committee
Transcript of representations made on Tuesday 25 April to be published (Bob Blackman).
13Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee
(1) Decarbonisation of the power sector:
(i) Eleventh Report, to be printed, with the formal minutes relating to the Report (HC 283);
(ii) Written evidence, to be published (HC 283);
(2) Revised (Draft) National Policy Statement for Energy: Government response to the Committee’s Ninth Report of Session 2021–22: Fourth Special Report, to be printed (HC 1299);
(3) Post-pandemic economic growth: State aid and post-Brexit competition policy: Office for the Internal Market response to the Committee’s Fourth Report of Session 2022–23: Fifth Special Report, to be printed (HC 1302);
(4) Batteries for electric vehicle manufacturing: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1070);
(5) Correspondence from the Secretary of State and Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero relating to the Energy Bill: Written evidence, to be published;
(6) Correspondence from the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology relating to EU space and science programmes: Written evidence, to be published;
(7) Correspondence with the Chief Secretary to the Treasury relating to the purchase of OneWeb: Written evidence, to be published;
(8) Correspondence with the Minister for the Investment Security Unit relating to the Investment Security Unit Annual Report: Written evidence, to be published;
(9) Pubs Code Adjudicator: Written evidence, to be published (HC 589)
(Darren Jones).
(1) Withdrawal from Afghanistan: Government Response to the Committee's Fifth Report of Session 2022–23: Fifth Special Report of Session 2022–23, to be printed (HC 1316);
(2) Cultural defence diplomacy: Oral evidence taken before the Sub-Committee, to be published (HC 792);
(3) Defence Equipment and Support: Written evidence received by the Sub-Committee, to be published (HC 1099)
(Gavin Robinson).
Record of the Committee’s decisions taken at its meeting on 25 April, to be published (Mrs Sharon Hodgson).
(1) The situation in Sudan: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 1312);
(2) Correspondence from the Treasury Lords Minister relating to financial sanctions: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) The UK’s engagement in Central Asia: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1158);
(4) Work of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office: Written evidence, to be published (HC 171)
(Alicia Kearns).
17Health and Social Care Committee
(1) Expert Panel: evaluation of Government’s commitments made on the digitisation of the NHS: Government Response to the Committee's Fourth Special Report of Session 2022–23: Eighth Special Report, to be printed (HC 1313);
(2) NHS dentistry: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 964);
(3) Correspondence from the Permanent Secretary for the Department of Health and Social Care regarding Covid-19 vaccine liabilities for children aged 6 months to 4 years: Written evidence, to be published;
(4) Digital transformation in the NHS: Written evidence, to be published (HC 223);
(5) Expert Panel: Evaluation of Government commitments made on the digitisation of the NHS: Written evidence, to be published (HC 780);
(6) Prevention in health and social care: Written evidence, to be published (HC 965)
(Steve Brine).
18High 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).
(1) Policing priorities: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 635);
(2) Correspondence from the Home Secretary relating to the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Correspondence from the Home Secretary relating to the Windrush Compensation Scheme: Written evidence to be published
(Dame Diana Johnson).
20International Development Committee
Investment for development: The UK’s strategy towards Development Finance Institutions: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 884) (Sarah Champion).
(1) Work of the immigration and asylum tribunals: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 1152);
(2) Correspondence from the Minister for Victims and Sentencing: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Correspondence from the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Justice relating to the Child Contact Centre Review: Written evidence, to be published;
(4) The prison operational workforce: Written evidence, to be published (HC 917)
(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
(Catherine McKinnell).
23Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs
(1) Correspondence with the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster: Written evidence, to be published;
(2) The scrutiny of international treaties and other international agreements in the 21st century: Written evidence, to be published (HC 214)
(Mr William Wragg).
Correspondence from the Leader of the House relating to proxy voting: Written evidence, to be published (Karen Bradley).
25Northern Ireland Affairs Committee
(1) Work of the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 86);
(2) Correspondence with the Chancellor of the Exchequer relating to Non-Barnett funding for Northern Ireland in Budget 2023: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Correspondence with the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy relating to financial support for people who use heating oil in Northern Ireland: Written evidence, to be published;
(4) The funding and delivery of public services in Northern Ireland: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1165)
(Simon Hoare).
(1) Cliff edges in the tax and benefits system: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 1301);
(2) The crypto-asset industry: Written evidence, to be published (HC 615);
(3) Work of the Financial Conduct Authority: Written evidence, to be published (HC 142)
(Harriett Baldwin).
Westminster Hall
The sitting began at 9.30 am
Business appointed by the Chairman of Ways and Means (Standing Order No. 10(6))
1Hunger in the East and Horn of Africa
Resolved, That this House has considered hunger in the East and Horn of Africa.—(Patrick Grady.)
2Universal infant free school meals
Resolved, That this House has considered universal infant free school meals.—(Steve Brine.)
The sitting was suspended between 11.27 am and 2.30 pm (Standing Order No. 10(1)(b)).
Resolved, That this House has considered the Affordable Homes Programme.—(Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi.)
The sitting was suspended between 3.55 pm and 4.00 pm.
4Energy suppliers and consumer rights
The sitting was suspended between 4.07pm and 4.32pm for divisions in the House (Standing Order No. 10(3)).
Resolved, That this House has considered energy suppliers and consumer rights.—(Wendy Chamberlain.)
Resolved, That this House has considered litter on motorways.—(Sir Mike Penning.)
Sitting adjourned without Question put (Standing Order No. 10(14)).
Adjourned at 5.54 pm until tomorrow.
Eleanor Laing
Chairman of Ways and Means
Papers Laid
Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution
Draft Building Safety (Responsible Actors Scheme and Prohibitions) Regulations 2023 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum and an Impact Assessment (by Command) (Lee Rowley)
(1) Energy Bills Discount Scheme (Non-Standard Cases) Regulations 2023 (SI, 2023, No. 464), dated 24 April 2023 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum and an Impact Assessment (by Command) (Secretary Grant Shapps)
(2) Energy Bills Discount Scheme (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2023 (SI, 2023, No. 454), dated 24 April 2023 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum and an Impact Assessment (by Command) (Secretary Grant Shapps)
(3) Energy Bills Discount Scheme Pass-through Requirement (Heat Suppliers) Regulations 2023 (SI, 2023, No. 455), dated 24 April 2023 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum and an Impact Assessment (by Command) (Secretary Grant Shapps)
(4) Energy Bills Discount Scheme Pass-through Requirement Regulations 2023 (SI, 2023, No. 463), dated 24 April 2023 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum and an Impact Assessment (by Command) (Secretary Grant Shapps)
(5) Energy Bills Discount Scheme Regulations 2023 (SI, 2023, No. 453), dated 24 April 2023 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum and an Impact Assessment (by Command) (Secretary Grant Shapps)
Papers subject to Negative Resolution
Education (Induction Arrangements for School Teachers) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (SI, 2023, No. 448), dated 20 April 2023 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Nick Gibb)
International Tax Compliance (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (SI, 2023, No. 461), dated 24 April 2023 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Victoria Atkins)
Other papers
5Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts
Government response to recommendation 8 of the Law Commission’s final report on hate crime laws (by Act) (Secretary Suella Braverman)
SPEAKER'S CERTIFICATES
VOTING BY PROXY
1Variation of proxy voting arrangement
The Speaker has certified further to the certificate of 20 February, under the terms of Standing Order No. 39A (Voting by Proxy) certify that Julian Knight has given notice that he wishes to vary his proxy vote arrangement to finish on 26 April.