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Votes and Proceedings
Monday 4 December 2023

Read the agenda for business in the House of Commons chamber, Westminster Hall and Commons Committees.

Find out more about the Votes and Proceedings

Contents

Chamber business

The House met at 2.30 pm.

1The Speaker’s Absence

The Clerk at the Table informed the House of the unavoidable absence, through illness, of the Speaker from this day’s sitting.

Dame Eleanor Laing, the Chairman of Ways and Means, proceeded to the Table.

Prayers

2Deputy Speaker in the Chair

Dame Eleanor Laing, the Chairman of Ways and Means, took the Chair as Deputy Speaker (Standing Order No. 3).

3Questions to the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities

4Urgent Question: Humanitarian situation in Gaza (Leo Docherty)

5Statements: (1) Legal migration (Secretary James Cleverly)

(2) Annual statement on risk and resilience (Secretary Oliver Dowden)

6Animal Welfare (Livestock Exports) Bill: Presentation (Standing Order No. 57)

Secretary Steve Barclay, supported by the Prime Minister, Secretary Oliver Dowden, Secretary Alister Jack and Secretary David T C Davies presented a Bill to prohibit the export of certain livestock from Great Britain for slaughter.

Bill read the first time; to be read a second time tomorrow, and to be printed (Bill 17) with Explanatory Notes (Bill 17–EN).

7Victims and Prisoners Bill: Consideration of the Bill

New Clause NC20—(Edward Argar)—brought up and read a second time.

Question proposed, That the Clause be read a second time.

The Deputy Speaker announced a time limit on backbench speeches (Standing Order No. 47(1)).

As it was one hour before the moment of interruption, the Deputy Speaker put the Questions necessary to bring proceedings on new Clauses, new Schedules and amendments relating to the Bill to a conclusion (Programme Order, 15 May in the last Session of Parliament).

The following Questions were put forthwith (Standing Order No. 83E).

(1) That New Clause NC20 be read a second time (Question already proposed from the Chair).

Question agreed to.

(2) That New Clause NC20 be added to the Bill (Question necessary to bring to a decision a question already proposed from the Chair.).

Question agreed to.

(3) That New Clauses NC21, NC22, NC23, NC24, NC25, NC26 and NC37 be added to the Bill (single Question on new Clauses moved by a Minister of the Crown).—(Edward Argar.)

Question agreed to.

(4) That New Clause NC10 be added to the Bill (Question on any new Clause selected by the Deputy Speaker for separate decision).—(Tim Farron.)

The House divided.

Division No. 21

Ayes: 27 (Tellers: Mr Alistair Carmichael, Christine Jardine)

Noes: 267 (Tellers: Robert Largan, Mr Gagan Mohindra)

Question negatived.

(5) That New Clause NC14 be added to the Bill (Question on any new Clause selected by the Deputy Speaker for separate decision).—(Kevin Brennan.)

The House divided.

Division No. 22

Ayes: 193 (Tellers: Mary Glindon, Kim Leadbeater)

Noes: 279 (Tellers: Robert Largan, Mr Gagan Mohindra)

Question negatived.

(6) That New Clause NC27 be added to the Bill (Question on any new Clause selected by the Deputy Speaker for separate decision).—(Dame Diana Johnson.)

The House divided.

Division No. 23

Ayes: 246 (Tellers: Mary Glindon, Kim Leadbeater)

Noes: 242 (Tellers: Robert Largan, Mr Gagan Mohindra)

Question agreed to.

(7) That Amendment 33 be made (Question on any Amendment selected by the Deputy Speaker for separate decision).—(Kevin Brennan.)

The House divided.

Division No. 24

Ayes: 190 (Tellers: Mary Glindon, Kim Leadbeater)

Noes: 277 (Tellers: Robert Largan, Mr Gagan Mohindra)

Question negatived.

(8) That Amendments 34 to 99, 150, 100 to 135 and 151 be made (single Question on Amendments moved by a Minister of the Crown).—(Edward Argar.)

Question agreed to.

(9) That Clause 51 be transferred to the end of line 24 on page 51 of the Bill (Question on any Motion made by a Minister of the Crown).—(Edward Argar.)

Question agreed to.

(10) That Amendments 136 to 141 be made (single Question on amendments moved by a Minister of the Crown).—(Edward Argar.)

Question agreed to.

Title accordingly amended, as follows: Bill to make provision about victims of criminal conduct and others affected by criminal conduct; about the appointment and functions of advocates for victims of major incidents; about the release of prisoners; about the membership and functions of the Parole Board; to prohibit certain prisoners from forming a marriage or civil partnership; and for connected purposes.

Consideration completed.

8Victims and Prisoners Bill: Third Reading

Bill read the third time and passed.

9Deferred Divisions

Ordered, That, at this day’s sitting, Standing Order No. 41A (Deferred divisions) shall not apply to the Motion in the name of Secretary Mark Harper relating to Climate Change.—(Aaron Bell.)

10Statutory Instruments: Motions for Approval

(1) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Vehicle Emissions Trading Schemes Order 2023, which was laid before this House on 16 October, in the last Session of Parliament, be approved.—(Aaron Bell.)

The House divided.

Division No. 25

Ayes: 381 (Tellers: Amanda Solloway, Mark Fletcher)

Noes: 37 (Tellers: Greg Smith, Karl McCartney)

Question agreed to.

(2) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Counter-Terrorism and Border Security Act 2019 (Port Examination Code of Practice) Regulations 2023, which were laid before this House on 16 October, in the last Session of Parliament, be approved.—(Aaron Bell.)

Question agreed to.

(3) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft National Security Act 2023 (Video Recording with Sound of Interviews and Associated Code of Practice) Regulations 2023, which were laid before this House on 16 October, in the last Session of Parliament, be approved.—(Aaron Bell.)

Question agreed to.

(4) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft National Security Act 2023 (Consequential Amendments of Primary Legislation) Regulations 2023, which were laid before this House on 16 October, in the last Session of Parliament, be approved.—(Aaron Bell.)

Question agreed to.

(5) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Act 2023 (Consequential Amendment) Regulations 2023, which were laid before this House on 16 October, in the last Session of Parliament, be approved.—(Aaron Bell.)

Question agreed to.

11Changes to membership of select committees

(1) Ordered, That Andy Carter and Sir Charles Walker be discharged from the Committee on Standards and Philip Dunne and Sir Michael Ellis be added.—(Mr Marcus Jones.)

(2) Ordered, That Andy Carter and Sir Charles Walker be discharged from the Committee of Privileges and Philip Dunne and Sir Michael Ellis be added.—(Mr Marcus Jones.)

12House of Commons Members' Fund

Resolved, That Nicholas Brown be removed as a Trustee of the House of Commons Members’ Fund and Marcus Jones and Holly Lynch be appointed as Trustees in pursuance of section 2 of the House of Commons Members’ Fund Act 2016.—(Penny Mordaunt.)

13Adjournment

Subject: Employment of people with learning disabilities (Lee Anderson)

Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Aaron Bell.)

Adjourned at 10.44 pm until tomorrow.

Other Proceedings

General Committees: Reports

14First Delegated Legislation Committee

Graham Stringer (Chair) reported the draft Wine (Revocation and Consequential Provision) Regulations 2023.

15Second Delegated Legislation Committee

Mrs Pauline Latham (Chair) reported the draft Data Protection (Fundamental Rights and Freedoms) (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).

16Media Bill (Programming Sub-Committee)

Members: Simon Baynes, Kirsty Blackman, Kevin Foster, Stephanie Peacock, Andrew Western, Sir John Whittingdale and Mike Wood

17First Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Wine (Revolcation and Consequential Provision) Regulations 2023)

(1) Chair: Graham Stringer in place of Hannah Bardell.

(2) Members: Sir Geoffrey Cox, Mrs Flick Drummond, Antony Higginbotham and Sir Bernard Jenkin discharged and Siobhan Baillie, Mark Fletcher, Edward Timpson and Jeremy Quin nominated in substitution.

18Second Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Data Protection (Fundamental Rights and Freedoms) (Amendment) Regulations 2023)

Members: Sally-Ann Hart, Paul Holmes and Craig Whittaker discharged and Nigel Mills, Alan Mak and Dean Russell nominated in substitution.

19Third Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Plant Health etc. (Miscellaneous Fees) (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2023)

Members: Jonathan Gullis, Sir John Hayes, Dr Caroline Johnson and Sir Bob Neill discharged and Sara Britcliffe, Simon Fell, Peter Gibson and Mrs Heather Wheeler nominated in substitution.

20Fourth Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Employment Rights (Amendment, Revocation and Transitional Provision) Regulations 2023)

Members: Richard Fuller, John Spellar and Mike Wood discharged and Aaron Bell, Stella Creasy and Steve Double nominated in substitution.

21Fifth Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) (Amendment) (No. 2) Order 2023, draft Financial Services and Markets Act 2023 (Benchmarks and Capital Requirements) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 and draft Financial Services and Markets Act 2023 (Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2023)

Members: Elliot Colburn, Sir Robert Goodwill and Edward Timpson discharged and Julie Marson, Nicola Richards and Mary Robinson nominated in substitution.

22Sixth Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Equality Act 2010 (Amendment) Regulations 2023)

Members: Alun Cairns, Julie Marson, Alexander Stafford and Mike Wood discharged and Sir Robert Goodwill, Mark Jenkinson, Jeremy Quin and Jane Stevenson nominated in substitution.

23Seventh Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Agriculture (Delinked Payments and Consequential Provisions) (England) Regulations 2023)

Members: Tonia Antoniazzi and Sir Robert Buckland discharged and Stephen Hammond and Christian Wakeford nominated in substitution.

24Eighth Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Representation of the People (Overseas Electors etc.) (Amendment) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2023 and draft Representation of the People (Overseas Electors etc.) (Amendment) Regulations 2023)

Members: Ian Byrne, Alan Mak, Jess Phillips, Nicola Richards and Craig Tracey discharged and Elliot Colburn, George Freeman, Mr Kevan Jones, Paulette Hamilton and Paul Holmes nominated in substitution.

Select Committees: Reports

25Administration Committee

Record of the Committee’s discussions at its meeting on 4 December, to be published (Sir Charles Walker).

26Environmental Audit Committee

(1) The UK and the Antarctic environment: Oral and written evidence received by the Sub-Committee on Polar Research, to be published (HC 381);

(2) The UK and the Arctic environment: Written evidence taken before the Sub-Committee on Polar Research, to be published (HC 380)

(James Gray).

27Foreign Affairs Committee

The UK’s engagement with the Middle East and North Africa: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 300) (Alicia Kearns)

28Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Committee

(1) Shared ownership: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 61);

(2) Financial distress in local authorities: Written evidence, to be published (HC 56);

(3) Correspondence from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State relating to the pre-appointment hearing of the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman: Written evidence, to be published;

(4) Correspondence from the Refugee Council relating to the refugee move-on period for newly recognised refugees: Written evidence, to be published;

(5) Correspondence from the Secretary of State relating to severe maladministration by Clarion Housing: Written evidence, to be published;

(6) Correspondence with the Minister for Levelling Up relating to the Levelling Up Fund Round 3: Written evidence, to be published

(Clive Betts).

29National Security Strategy (Joint Committee on)

(1) A hostage to fortune: ransomware and UK national security

(i) First Report, to be printed with the formal minutes relating to the Report (HC 194) (ii) Written evidence, to be published (HC 194)

(2) The Conflict, Stability and Security Fund: Government Response to the Committee’s Second Report of Session 2022–23: First Special Report, to be printed (HC 349)

30Northern Ireland Affairs Committee

Victims' Payments Board: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 308) (Sir Robert Buckland).

31Public Accounts (Committee of)

(1) Reducing the harm from illegal drugs: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 72);

(2) Correspondence from HM Treasury relating to the mortgage guarantee scheme: Written evidence, to be published;

(3) Correspondence relating to the Committee’s previous Reports: Written evidence, to be published

(Dame Meg Hillier).

Eleanor Laing

Chairman of Ways and Means

Papers Laid

Papers presented and delivered to the Votes and Proceedings Office on Friday 1 December under Standing Orders No. 158 and No. 159:

Papers subject to Negative Resolution

1Competition

* This item has been corrected since publication. See the correction in the Votes and Proceedings relating to Tuesday 5 December 2023.

Public Interest Merger Reference (Telegraph Media Group Ltd) (Pre-emptive Action) Order 2023 (SI, 2023, No. 1300), dated 1 December 2023 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Lucy Frazer)

Papers presented or laid upon the Table on Monday 4 December

Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution

2Agriculture

Draft Wine (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2024 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Steve Barclay)

3Criminal Law

Draft Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 (Automatic Online Conviction and Standard Statutory Penalty) (Specification of Offences and Penalties) Regulations 2024 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum and an Impact Assessment (by Command) (Secretary Alex Chalk)

4Financial Services

(1) Draft Financial Services Act 2021 (Overseas Funds Regime and Recognition of Parts of Schemes) (Amendment and Modification) Regulations 2024 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Bim Afolami)

(2) Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing (High-Risk Countries) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2023 (SI, 2023, No. 1306), dated 4 December 2023 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Bim Afolami)

Papers subject to Negative Resolution

5London Government

Greater London Authority (Consolidated Council Tax Requirement Procedure) Regulations 2023 (SI, 2023, No. 1298), dated 30 November 2023 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Simon Hoare)

6National Health Service

Branded Health Service Medicines (Costs) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2023 (SI, 2023, No. 1307), dated 4 December 2023 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum and an Impact Assessment (by Command) (Andrew Stephenson)

7Tribunals and Enquiries

Tribunal Procedure (Amendment No. 2) Rules 2023 (SI, 2023, No. 1280), dated 28 November 2023 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Alex Chalk)

Other papers

8Culture, Media and Sport

Government Response to the Independent Review of Women’s Football: Reframing the opportunity in Women’s Football (by Command) (CP 965) (Secretary Lucy Frazer)

9Financial Services and Markets

Report and Accounts of the Financial Ombudsman Service for 2022–23, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (by Act), to be printed (HC 42) (Bim Afolami)

10National Audit Office

Report by the Comptroller and Auditor General on Government resilience: extreme weather for 2023–24 (by Act), to be printed (HC 314) (Clerk of the House)

11Representation of the People

Parliamentary Elections and Recall Petitions (Welsh Forms) (Amendment) (No. 2) Order 2023 (SI, 2023, No. 1305), dated 30 November 2023 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Simon Hoare)

12Social Security Administration

Account of the Social Fund for 2022–23, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (by Act), to be printed (HC 263) (Clerk of the House)

13Treasury

Treasury Minutes Progress Report: Update of the Government responses to the Committee of Public Accounts on Sessions 2010–12, 2012–13, 2013–14, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–19, 2019, 2019–21, 2021–22 and 2022–23 (by Command) (CP 987) (Gareth Davies)

SPEAKER'S CERTIFICATE

VOTING BY PROXY

Member

From

To

Proxy

Jane Hunt

4 December

10 March 2024

Mr Marcus Jones