Contents
Chamber business
The House met at 11.30 am.
Prayers
1Questions to the Secretary of State for Justice
2Urgent Question: Offshore wind contracts (Graham Stuart)
3Electricity Supply (Vulnerable Customers): Motion for leave to bring in a Bill (Standing Order No. 23)
Ordered, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to require Ofgem to amend the conditions of an electricity supply licence in relation to vulnerable customers; to require Ofgem to establish a fund for the purpose of rectifying dangerous electrical faults for vulnerable customers; to require energy supply companies to inform vulnerable customers about the services available to customers on the Priority Services Register; and for connected purposes;
That Sam Tarry, Mike Amesbury, Andrew Western, Olivia Blake, Lloyd Russell-Moyle, Karl Turner, Jim Shannon, Sarah Olney, Chris Loder, Derek Thomas, Sir Peter Bottomley and Alison Thewliss present the Bill.
Sam Tarry accordingly presented the Bill.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 24 November, and to be printed (Bill 365).
4Speaker’s Statement: Retirement of the Clerk of the House
The Speaker informed the House that he had received a letter from Sir John Benger, Clerk of the House of Commons, which he read to the House, as follows:
You notified the House last February of my intention to retire as Clerk of the House to take up a new role next month as Master of St Catharine’s College Cambridge.
I wanted to thank you, Mr Speaker, for your unfailing support both to me personally and to the House of Commons Administration. You care deeply about the institution of Parliament, but also about all of the staff who work here. I want to record your personal contribution to improving the welfare spaces for many of our staff on rotas working unsociable hours in often difficult conditions. I also want to thank you for placing so high a priority on security for all who work in Parliament—you sat in this Chamber during those difficult hours following the murder of PC Keith Palmer, an event I know which affected you deeply.
May I also thank the deputy speakers who have been a pleasure to work with.
The murders of two honourable Members, Sir David Amess, and Jo Cox, caused us all great sadness. I knew Sir David personally—he served on the Health Committee for all of the six years I clerked it, always enthusiastic, never failing to see the absurdity in life, but, like Jo Cox, a tireless champion of his constituents and of the causes he believed in.
Nowadays, every Member has to deal with more than their fair share of abuse and hostility. But I have to say I have found almost all Members to be passionately committed to changing the world for the better and serving their constituents. I will always remember and appreciate that commitment by Members to public service.
I took up my current role in March 2019 and my main objective was to help implement the recommendations made by Dame Laura Cox in her report following the dreadful accounts of bullying and harassment in Parliament. All Dame Laura’s key recommendations have been implemented, and we should celebrate the fact that our Parliament now leads the world in having an independent process to examine such matters. There is more to be done as we all know, and too much unacceptable behaviour still occurs, but I salute those Members and staff who had the courage to help introduce the ICGS.
My first few months were occupied with the fraught challenges of Brexit, in the context of a minority government, and many of us will remember what a difficult parliament that was. But of course, even greater challenges lay around the corner, with the advent of Covid-19, prompting dramatic changes to how we operate. I am so proud of my colleagues for helping this Parliament to lead the world in sitting in hybrid form, transforming procedures, adapting our physical spaces and rapidly introducing the necessary technology, to achieve this in a matter of days, a truly astonishing achievement.
Here in Parliament we have some of the finest public servants—dedicated, professional and at their best when there is a challenge. But it is their friendship and support, as much as their professionalism that I will remember, and for which I will always be grateful.
Resolved, nemine contradicente, That Mr Speaker be requested to convey to Sir John Benger KCB, on his retirement from the office of Clerk of the House, this House’s gratitude for his long and distinguished service, for his wise contribution to the development of the procedure of the House during testing times and in the face of the unprecedented challenge of the pandemic, for his engaged and inclusive leadership and his professionalism in the discharge of his duties as head of the House Service, and for the courteous and helpful advice always given to individual honourable Members.—(Penny Mordaunt.)
6Online Safety Bill: Programme (No. 5)
Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 83A(7)), That the following provisions shall apply to the Online Safety Bill for the purpose of supplementing the Order of 19 April 2022 in the last session of Parliament (Online Safety Bill: Programme) as varied and supplemented by the Orders of 12 July 2022 (Online Safety Bill: Programme (No. 2)), 5 December 2022 (Online Safety Bill: Programme (No. 3)) and 5 December 2022 (Online Safety Bill: Programme (No. 4)):
Consideration of Lords Amendments
(1) Proceedings on consideration of Lords Amendments shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion three hours after their commencement.
(2) The Lords Amendments shall be considered in the following order: 182, 349, 391, 17, 20, 22, 81, 148, 1 to 16, 18, 19, 21, 23 to 80, 82 to 147, 149 to 181, 183 to 348, 350 to 390, 392 to 424.
Subsequent stages
(3) Any further Message from the Lords may be considered forthwith without any Question being put.
(4) The proceedings on any further Message from the Lords shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion one hour after their commencement.—(Andrew Stephenson.)
Question agreed to.
7Online Safety Bill: Consideration of Lords Amendments
The Deputy Speaker announced that Lords Amendments 171, 180, 181, 317, 390 and 400 engaged financial privilege.
Lords Amendment 182
Amendment (a) made.
Lords Amendment 182, as amended, agreed to.
Lords Amendment 349
Amendments (a) and (b) made.
Lords Amendment 349, as amended, agreed to.
Lords Amendment 391
Amendment (a) made.
Lords Amendment 391, as amended, agreed to.
Amendment (a) consequential to Lords Amendment 391 made to the Bill.
Lords Amendment 17
Lords Amendment 17 disagreed to.
Amendments (a) and (b) made to the Bill in lieu of Lords Amendment 17 disagreed to.
Lords Amendments 20 and 22 disagreed to.
Lords Amendment 81
Lords Amendment 81 disagreed to.
Amendments (a) to (c) made to the Bill in lieu of Lords Amendment 81 disagreed to.
Lords Amendment 148
Lords Amendment 148 disagreed to.
Amendment (a) made to the Bill in lieu of Lords Amendment 148 disagreed to.
Lords Amendments 1 to 16, 18, 19, 21, 23 to 80, 82 to 147, 149 to 181, 183 to 348, 350 to 390, and 392 to 424 agreed to, with Commons financial privilege waived in respect of Lords Amendments 171, 180, 181, 317, 390 and 400.
Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 83H(2)), That a Committee be appointed to draw up Reasons to be assigned to the Lords for disagreeing to their Amendments 20 and 22.
That Kirsty Blackman, Alex Davies-Jones, Steve Double, Paul Howell, Taiwo Owatemi, Paul Scully and Alexander Stafford be members of the Committee.
That Paul Scully be the Chair of the Committee.
That the Committee do withdraw immediately.—(Mike Wood).
Question agreed to.
Motion made and Question put, That the draft Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (Amendment) Order 2023, which was laid before this House on 5 September, be approved.—(Chris Philp)
The House divided.
Division No. 323
Ayes: 404 (Tellers: Amanda Solloway, Fay Jones)
Noes: 36 (Tellers: Kirsty Blackman, Hannah Bardell)
Question accordingly agreed to.
9Statutory Instruments: Motions for Approval
(1) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Mayoral and Police and Crime Commissioner Elections, Recall Petitions and Referendums (Ballot Secrecy, Candidates and Undue Influence) Regulations 2023, which were laid before this House on 6 July, be approved.—(Jacob Young.)
Question agreed to.
(2) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Representation of the People (Franchise Amendment and Eligibility Review) Regulations 2023, which were laid before this House on 6 July, be approved.—(Jacob Young.)
Question agreed to.
(3) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Representation of the People (Postal and Proxy Voting etc.) (Amendment) Regulations 2023, which were laid before this House on 6 July, be approved.—(Jacob Young.)
The House divided.
Division No. 324
Ayes: 278 (Tellers: Fay Jones, Amanda Solloway)
Noes: 148 (Tellers: Christian Wakeford, Mary Glindon)
Question accordingly agreed to.
(4) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Local Elections (Northern Ireland) Order 2023, which was laid before this House on 4 September, be approved.—(Jacob Young.)
Question agreed to.
(5) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Representation of the People and Recall Petition (Northern Ireland) (Amendment) Regulations 2023, which were laid before this House on 4 September, be approved.—(Jacob Young.)
Question agreed to.
(6) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure (Security Requirements for Relevant Connectable Products) Regulations 2023, which were laid before this House on 10 July, be approved.—(Jacob Young.)
Question agreed to.
(7) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the Northern Ireland (Ministerial Appointment Functions) Regulations 2023 (SI, 2023, No. 776), dated 10 July 2023, a copy of which was laid before this House on 10 July, be approved.—(Jacob Young.)
Question agreed to.
(8) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Windsor Framework (Enforcement etc.) Regulations 2023, which were laid before this House on 4 September, be approved.—(Jacob Young.)
The Deputy Speaker’s opinion as to the decision of the Question was challenged.
Division deferred until tomorrow (Standing Order No. 41A).
10Restoration and Renewal Programme Board
Resolved, That this House:
(1) notes the report from the House of Commons Commission and the House of Lords Commission on the membership of the Restoration and Renewal Programme Board, HC 1792, dated 6 September 2023; and
(2) appoints Dr Michèle Dix as an external member of the Board.—(Sir Charles Walker.)
Message to the Lords to acquaint them therewith.
11Changes to membership of select committees
(1) Ordered, That Alan Brown be discharged from the Business and Trade Committee and Douglas Chapman be added.—(Sir Bill Wiggin, on behalf of the Committee of Selection.)
(2) Ordered, That Dave Doogan be discharged from the Defence Committee and Martin Docherty-Hughes be added.—(Sir Bill Wiggin, on behalf of the Committee of Selection.)
(3) Ordered, That Drew Hendry be discharged from the Foreign Affairs Committee and Brendan O'Hara be added.—(Sir Bill Wiggin, on behalf of the Committee of Selection.)
(4) Ordered, That Martyn Day be discharged from the Health and Social Care Committee and Amy Callaghan be added.—(Sir Bill Wiggin, on behalf of the Committee of Selection.)
(5) Ordered, That Stuart C McDonald be discharged from the Justice Committee and Chris Stephens be added.—(Sir Bill Wiggin, on behalf of the Committee of Selection.)
(6) Ordered, That Owen Thompson be discharged from the Procedure Committee and Kirsty Blackman be added.—(Sir Bill Wiggin, on behalf of the Committee of Selection.)
(7) Ordered, That Douglas Chapman be discharged from the Treasury Committee and Drew Hendry be added.—(Sir Bill Wiggin, on behalf of the Committee of Selection.)
(8) Ordered, That Ms Anum Qaisar be discharged from the Women and Equalities Committee and Kirsten Oswald be added.—(Sir Bill Wiggin, on behalf of the Committee of Selection.)
(1) A public petition from residents of the constituency of Manchester Gorton relating to Levenshulme Station and Gorton Station ticket office closures was presented and read by Afzal Khan.
(2) A public petition from residents of the constituency of Linlithgow and East Falkirk relating to dynamic pricing strategy was presented and read by Martyn Day.
(3) A public petition from residents of the constituency of Denton and Reddish relating to Reddish North station ticket office closures was presented and read by Andrew Gwynne.
Subject: RSE curriculum in Northern Ireland schools (Carla Lockhart)
Motion made and Question proposed, That this House do now adjourn.—(Ruth Edwards.)
House adjourned without Question put (Standing Order No. 9(7)).
Adjourned at 7.36 pm until tomorrow.
Other Proceedings
Lords Messages
14Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Bill
The Lords do not insist on their Amendments to the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Bill, to which the Commons have disagreed; they disagree to certain Commons Amendments and propose Amendments in lieu to which they desire the agreement of the Commons; they disagree to the Commons Amendment in lieu and propose an Amendment in lieu to which they desire the agreement of the Commons; and they agree to certain other Commons Amendments.
The Lords agree to the Commons Amendments to the Procurement Bill [Lords], and propose an Amendment instead of the words left out of the Bill.
Printing of Lords Messages
16Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Bill
Lords Message in relation to the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Bill to be considered tomorrow, and to be printed (Bill 363).
Lords Message in relation to the Procurement Bill [Lords] to be considered tomorrow, and to be printed (Bill 364).
Private Business
(1) The First Deputy Chairman of Ways and Means reported from the Standing Orders Committee that it had resolved, in respect of the High Speed Rail (Crewe - Manchester) Bill Additional Provision 2:
That the following Standing Orders ought to be dispensed with: 4, 4A, 10, 10A, 11, 12, 12A, 13, 27, 27A, 34, 36, 39, 41, 45 and 47.
The Resolution was agreed to.
(2) Ordered, That the Standing Orders Committee have leave to report evidence taken this day on the High Speed Rail (Crewe - Manchester) Bill.
(3) The First Chairman of Ways and Means reported evidence taken before the Standing Orders Committee on the High Speed Rail (Crewe - Manchester) Bill.
Evidence to be published.
Changes to Notices Given
19Bowel Conditions (Assessment) Bill
Order for Second Reading on Friday 15 September, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 24 November.
Reasons Committees: Reports
20Online Safety Bill: Reasons Committee
Paul Scully reported that the Committee had agreed the following Reason:
Lords Amendments 20 and 22
Because the Bill already makes sufficient provision requiring providers of user-to-user services to mitigate the impact of harm to children online.
General Committees: Reports
21Economic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill
Sir George Howarth (Chair) reported written evidence submitted to the Committee.
Written evidence to be published.
22Fourth Delegated Legislation Committee
Mr James Gray (Chair) reported the draft Mayoral and Police and Crime Commissioner Elections, Recall Petitions and Referendums (Ballot Secrecy, Candidates and Undue Influence) Regulations 2023, the draft Representation of the People (Franchise Amendment and Eligibility Review) Regulations 2023, the draft Representation of the People (Postal and Proxy Voting etc.) (Amendment) Regulations 2023, the draft Local Elections (Northern Ireland) Order 2023 and the draft Representation of the People and Recall Petition (Northern Ireland) Amendment Regulations 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).
23Fourth Delegated Legislation Committee (Draft Mayoral and Police and Crime Commissioner Elections, Recall Petitions and Referendums (Ballot Secrecy, Candidates and Undue Influence) Regulations 2023, draft Representation of the People (Franchise Amendment and Eligibility Review) Regulations 2023, draft Representation of the People (Postal and Proxy Voting etc.) (Amendment) Regulations 2023, draft Local Elections (Northern Ireland) Order 2023 and draft Representation of the People and Recall Petition (Northern Ireland) (Amendment) Regulations 2023)
Members: Dehenna Davison discharged and Rachel Maclean nominated in substitution.
Select Committees: Reports
24Backbench Business Committee
Transcript of representations made on Tuesday 12 September to be published (Ian Mearns).
25Business and Trade Committee
(1) Batteries for electric vehicle manufacturing: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1070);
(2) Correspondence from the Minister for Enterprise, Markets and Small Business: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Correspondence from the Trade Remedies Authority relating to steel safeguard measures: Written evidence, to be published
(Mark Pawsey).
26Culture, Media and Sport Committee
(1) Women’s sport: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 1205);
(2) Correspondence relating to BBC Northern Ireland: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Gambling regulation: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1010)
(Dame Caroline Dinenage).
(1) Persistent absence and support for disadvantaged pupils: Seventh Report, to be printed, with the formal minutes relating to the Report (HC 970);
(2) Teacher recruitment, training and retention: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 1207);
(3) Child exploitation and county lines: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1114);
(4) Ofsted’s work with schools: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1507)
(Mr Robin Walker).
28Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
(1) Fairness in the food supply chain: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1363);
(2) Soil health: Written evidence, to be published (HC 963)
(Sir Robert Goodwill).
29European Statutory Instruments Committee
(1) Sixth Report, to be printed, with the formal minutes relating to the Report (HC 1824);
(2) Correspondence with the Leader of the House relating to the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Act 2023: Written evidence, to be published
(Andrew Jones).
Record of the Committee’s decisions taken at its meeting on 12 September, to be published (Mrs Sharon Hodgson).
The UK’s international counter-terrorism policy: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 1832) (Alicia Kearns).
32High 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).
33International Development Committee
(1) Investment for development: The UK’s strategy towards Development Finance Institutions:
(i) Ninth Report, to be printed, with the formal minutes relating to the Report (HC 884);
(ii) Written evidence, to be published (HC 884);
(2) FCDO’s approach to sexual and reproductive health: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 1216);
(3) UK Small Island Developing States Strategy: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1298)
(Sarah Champion).
(1) Whiplash reform and the Official Injury Claim service:
(i) Ninth Report, to be printed with the formal minutes relating to the Report (HC 1140);
(ii) Part of the written evidence, to be published (HC 1140);
(2) Correspondence from HM Chief Inspector of Prisons relating to the Urgent Notification at HMP Woodhill: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Correspondence from the Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice: Written evidence, to be published;
(4) Correspondence from the Minister for Courts and Legal services relating to the statutory instrument to facilitate a coroner area merger: Written evidence, to be published;
(5) Correspondence from the Minister for Prisons and Probation: Written evidence, to be published;
(6) Correspondence from the Minister for Victims and Sentencing relating to the announcement of the award of grant funding for rape and sexual abuse support services 2023–25: Written evidence, to be published;
(7) Correspondence from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice: Written evidence, to be published;
(8) Evidence in sexual offence cases: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1436);
(9) Public understanding and opinion of sentencing: Written evidence, to be published (HC 305)
(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
(Tonia Antoniazzi).
36Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee
(1) Devolution capability in Whitehall: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 1438);
(2) Civil Service leadership and reform: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1295);
(3) Lobbying and Influence: post-legislative scrutiny of the Lobbying Act 2014 and related matters: Written evidence to be published (HC 638)
(Mr William Wragg).
(1) Accessible transport: legal obligations: Written evidence, to be published (HC 580);
(2) Correspondence with National Highways Chief Executive relating to A66 Northern Trans-Pennine project: Written evidence, to be published
(Iain Stewart).
(1) Appointment of Sarah Breeden as Deputy Governor for Financial Stability, Bank of England:
(i) Twenty-second Report, to be printed, with the formal minutes relating to the Report (HC 1814);
(ii) Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 1814);
(2) Work of the Financial Conduct Authority: Written evidence, to be published (HC 142)
(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))
Resolved, That this House has considered PANS and PANDAS.—(Wendy Chamberlain.)
The sitting was suspended between 10.54 am and 11.00 am.
2The level of public ownership in the offshore wind sector
Resolved, That this House has considered the level of public ownership in the offshore wind sector.—(Kenny MacAskill.)
The sitting was suspended between 11.30 am and 2.30 pm (Standing Order No. 10(1)(b)).
Resolved, That this House has considered flying schools.—(Tim Loughton.)
The sitting was suspended between 3.56 pm and 4.00 pm.
4UK support for at-risk academics
Resolved, That this House has considered UK support for at-risk academics.—(Sir Julian Lewis.)
The sitting was suspended between 4.26 pm and 4.30 pm.
5Treatment of LGBT+ people and their spouses in social care settings
Resolved, That this House has considered the treatment of LGBT+ people and their spouses in social care settings.—(Helen Hayes.)
Sitting adjourned without Question put (Standing Order No. 10(14)).
Adjourned at 5.08 pm until tomorrow.
Eleanor Laing
Chairman of Ways and Means
Papers Laid
Papers subject to Negative Resolution
Draft Wokingham (Electoral Changes) Order 2023 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (The Speaker)
Other papers
(1) Explanatory Memorandum to the Building (Approved Inspectors etc. and Review of Decisions) (England) Regulations 2023 (SI, 2023, No. 906) (by Command) (Lee Rowley)
(2) Explanatory Memorandum to the Building Regulations etc. (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2023 (SI, 2023, No. 911), (by Command) (Lee Rowley)
(3) Explanatory Memorandum to the Higher-Risk Buildings (Management of Safety Risks etc) (England) Regulations 2023 (SI, 2023, No. 907) (by Command) (Lee Rowley)
Explanatory Memorandum to the draft Airports Slot Allocation (Alleviation of Usage Requirements) (No. 2) Regulations 2023 (by Command) (Secretary Mark Harper)
Intellectual Property Office Innovation and Growth Report (by Act) (Paul Scully)
Report and Accounts of The Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust for 2022–23 (by Act) (Secretary Steve Barclay)
Boundary Commission for Scotland: 2023 Review of Parliamentary Constituencies: Statement of Modification (by Act) (The Speaker)
Withdrawn papers
(1) Explanatory Memorandum to the Building (Approved Inspectors etc. and Review of Decisions) (England) Regulations 2023 (SI, 2023, No. 906), (laid 17 August)
(2) Explanatory Memorandum to the Building Regulations etc. (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2023 (SI, 2023, No. 911) (laid 17 August)
(3) Explanatory Memorandum to the Higher-Risk Buildings (Management of Safety Risks etc) (England) Regulations 2023 (SI, 2023, No. 907) (laid 17 August)
Explanatory Memorandum to the draft Airports Slot Allocation (Alleviation of Usage Requirements) (No. 2) Regulations 2023 (laid 18 July)
POLITICAL PARTIES, ELECTIONS AND REFERENDUMS ACT 2000
The Speaker has appointed Kirsty Blackman to serve, in place of Owen Thompson, on the committee known as the Speaker’s Committee on the Electoral Commission, established by section 2(1) of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000.