Contents
Chamber business
The House met at 11.30 am.
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
Dame Eleanor Laing, the Chairman of Ways and Means, took the Chair as Deputy Speaker (Standing Order No. 3).
3Questions to (1) the Secretary of State for Wales
(2) the Prime Minister
4Ministerial Statements: (1) A Hillsborough Legacy: The Government’s response to Bishop James Jones’ report (Secretary Alex Chalk)
(2) Gender Recognition Order 2023 (Secretary Kemi Badenoch)
5Personal Statement (Suella Braverman)
6Building Societies Act 1986 (Amendment) Bill: Presentation (Standing Order No. 57)
Julie Elliott, supported by Dame Angela Eagle, Damian Green, Siobhain McDonagh, Yvonne Fovargue, Wendy Chamberlain, Sir Mark Hendrick, Ian Mearns, John Stevenson, Alison Thewliss and Dame Meg Hillier, presented a Bill to make provision about the funding of building societies and the assimilation of the law relating to companies and the law relating to building societies.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 19 January 2024, and to be printed (Bill 18).
7Shared Parental Leave and Pay (Bereavement) Bill: Presentation (Standing Order No. 57)
Chris Elmore, supported by Darren Henry, presented a Bill to make provision about shared parental leave and pay in certain cases where a mother has died; and for connected purposes.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 26 January 2024, and to be printed (Bill 19).
8Pensions (Special Rules for End of Life) Bill: Presentation (Standing Order No. 57)
Mr Laurence Robertson presented a Bill to change the period of life expectancy relevant to certain pension rules.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 2 February 2024, and to be printed (Bill 20).
9Strategic Litigation Against Public Participation Bill: Presentation (Standing Order No. 57)
Christian Wakeford, on behalf of Wayne David, presented a Bill to make provision about the misuse of litigation to suppress freedom of speech.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 23 February 2024, and to be printed (Bill 21).
10Conversion Practices (Prohibition) Bill: Presentation (Standing Order No. 57)
Alicia Kearns, on behalf of Lloyd Russell Moyle, supported by Alicia Kearns, Elliot Colburn, Mr William Wragg, Dr Jamie Wallis, Caroline Nokes, Gary Sambrook, Dehenna Davison, Iain Stewart and Michael Fabricant, presented a Bill to prohibit practices whose predetermined purpose is to change a person’s sexual orientation or to change a person to or from being transgender; and for connected purposes.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 1 March 2024, and to be printed (Bill 22).
11Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Bill: Presentation (Standing Order No. 57)
Selaine Saxby presented a Bill to make provision for and in connection with restricting the importation and non-commercial movement of dogs, cats and ferrets.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 15 March 2024, and to be printed (Bill 23).
12Hunting Trophies (Import Prohibition) Bill: Presentation (Standing Order No. 57)
Mark Tami, on behalf of John Spellar, supported by Henry Smith, presented a Bill to make provision prohibiting the import of hunting trophies into Great Britain.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 22 March 2024, and to be printed (Bill 24).
13High Streets (Designation, Review and Improvement Plan) Bill: Presentation (Standing Order No. 57)
Jack Brereton, supported by Jonathan Gullis, Jo Gideon, Eddie Hughes, Andrew Lewer, Grahame Morris, Damien Moore, Martin Vickers, David Morris, Neil O'Brien, Mrs Sharon Hodgson and Nick Fletcher, presented a Bill to require local authorities to designate high streets in their area; to require local authorities to undertake and publish periodic reviews of the condition of those high streets; to require local authorities to develop action plans for the improvement of the condition of those high streets; and for connected purposes.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 26 January 2024, and to be printed (Bill 25).
14Pet Abduction Bill: Presentation (Standing Order No. 57)
Anna Firth presented a Bill to create offences of dog abduction and cat abduction and to confer a power to make corresponding provision relating to the abduction of other animals commonly kept as pets.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 19 January 2024, and to be printed (Bill 26).
15Joint Enterprise (Significant Contribution) Bill: Presentation (Standing Order No. 57)
Kim Johnson, supported by Sir Robert Neill, Mr Barry Sheerman, John McDonnell, Paula Barker, Rachel Hopkins, Kate Osamor, Liz Saville Roberts, Kenny MacAskill and Chris Stephens, presented a Bill to amend the Accessories and Abettors Act 1861 to provide that only a person who directly commits, or who makes a significant contribution to the commission of, an offence may be held criminally liable.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 2 February 2024, and to be printed (Bill 27).
16Space Industry (Indemnities) Bill: Presentation (Standing Order No. 57)
Mr Jonathan Lord presented a Bill to require operator licences authorising the carrying out of spaceflight activities to specify the licensee's indemnity limit.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 23 February 2024, and to be printed (Bill 28).
17Public Procurement (British Goods and Services) Bill: Presentation (Standing Order No. 57)
Sarah Champion presented a Bill to make provision about public procurement in respect of British goods and services; and for connected purposes.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 15 March 2024, and to be printed (Bill 29).
18Greater London Low Emission Zone Charging (Amendment) Bill: Presentation (Standing Order No. 57)
Gareth Johnson, supported by Sir David Evennett, Mr Louie French, Dean Russell, Sir Robert Goodwill, Theresa Villiers, Elliot Colburn, Bob Blackman, Steve Tuckwell, Mrs Heather Wheeler, Mr Mark Francois and Julie Marson, presented a Bill to amend the boundaries of the Greater London Low Emission Zone and Ultra Low Emission Zone; to provide that Transport for London may not make an order amending those boundaries without the consent of the Secretary of State; and for connected purposes.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 22 March 2024, and to be printed (Bill 30).
19Unauthorised Entry to Football Matches Bill: Presentation (Standing Order No. 57)
Kevin Brennan, supported by Steve Brine, Dame Caroline Dinenage, Clive Efford, Julie Elliott, Damian Green, Dr Rupa Huq, Simon Jupp, Jane Stevenson and Giles Watling, presented a Bill to create an offence of unauthorised entry at football matches; and to provide for the offence to be listed as an offence for which a football banning order can be imposed following conviction.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 23 February 2024, and to be printed (Bill 31).
20Licensing Hours Extensions Bill: Presentation (Standing Order No. 57)
Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck presented a Bill to amend the Licensing Act 2003 so that licensing hours Orders can be made by negative resolution statutory instrument.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 19 January 2024, and to be printed (Bill 32).
21British Citizenship (Northern Ireland) Bill: Presentation (Standing Order No. 57)
Gavin Robinson presented a Bill to make provision about British citizenship in respect of people born in Ireland after 31 December 1948 who are, or have been, resident in Northern Ireland; and for connected purposes.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 26 January 2024, and to be printed (Bill 33).
22Community and Suspended Sentences (Notification of Details) Bill: Presentation (Standing Order No. 57)
Ruth Jones presented a Bill to require offenders serving community and certain other sentences to provide information about names used and contact details.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 23 February 2024, and to be printed (Bill 34).
23Health and Equality Acts (Amendment) Bill: Presentation (Standing Order No. 57)
Elizabeth Truss, supported by Dame Priti Patel, Ian Paisley, Jackie Doyle-Price, Dr Caroline Johnson, Nick Fletcher, Miriam Cates, Ben Bradley, Tom Hunt, Robin Millar, Andrew Lewer and Marco Longhi, presented a Bill to regulate access to hormone therapy for children under the age of 18; to make provision relating to social transition practices in schools and other settings; to make provision regarding the meaning of the protected characteristic of sex; and for connected purposes.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 15 March 2024, and to be printed (Bill 35).
24Hereditary Titles (Female Succession) Bill: Presentation (Standing Order No. 57)
Harriett Baldwin, supported by Ms Harriet Harman, Nickie Aiken, Tim Loughton, Sarah Champion, Philip Davies, Dame Maria Miller and Jess Phillips, presented a Bill to make provision for the succession of female heirs to hereditary titles; and for connected purposes.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 23 February 2024, and to be printed (Bill 36).
25Off-Road Vehicles (Registration) Bill: Presentation (Standing Order No. 57)
Anne McLaughlin presented a Bill to make provision for a compulsory registration scheme for certain off-road vehicles; to require such vehicles to display a registration plate; and for connected purposes.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 19 April 2024, and to be printed (Bill 37).
26Sentencing Bill: Second Reading
Bill read a second time.
Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 83A(7)), That the following provisions shall apply to the Sentencing Bill:
Committal
(1) The Bill shall be committed to a Committee of the whole House.
Proceedings in Committee, on Consideration and on Third Reading
(2) Proceedings in Committee of the whole House shall be taken in the following order: Clause 1; Schedule 1; Clauses 2 to 6; Schedule 2; Clause 7; Schedule 3; Clauses 8 to 11; new Clauses; new Schedules; remaining proceedings on the Bill.
(3) Proceedings in Committee of the whole House shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion five hours after their commencement.
(4) Any proceedings on Consideration and proceedings on Third Reading shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion six hours after the commencement of proceedings in Committee of the whole House.
(5) Standing Order No. 83B (Programming committees) shall not apply to proceedings in Committee of the whole House, to any proceedings on Consideration or to proceedings on Third Reading.
Other proceedings
(6) Any other proceedings on the Bill may be programmed.—(Aaron Bell.)
Question agreed to.
28Ministerial Statement: UK-Rwanda partnership (Secretary James Cleverly)
29Statutory Instruments: Motions for Approval
(1) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Plant Health etc. (Miscellaneous Fees) (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2023, which were laid before this House on 26 October, in the last Session of Parliament, be approved.—(Aaron Bell.)
Question agreed to.
(2) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Employment Rights (Amendment, Revocation and Transitional Provision) Regulations 2023, which were laid before this House on 7 November, be approved.—(Aaron Bell.)
Question agreed to.
(3) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) (Amendment) (No. 2) Order 2023, which was laid before this House on 7 November, be approved.—(Aaron Bell.)
Question agreed to.
(4) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Financial Services and Markets Act 2023 (Benchmarks and Capital Requirements) (Amendment) Regulations 2023, which were laid before this House on 7 November, be approved.—(Aaron Bell.)
Question agreed to.
(5) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Financial Services and Markets Act 2023 (Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2023, which were laid before this House on 7 November, be approved.—(Aaron Bell.)
Question agreed to.
Subject: Potential merits of a windfall tax on bank profits (Richard Burgon)
Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Aaron Bell.)
Adjourned at 7.48 pm until tomorrow.
Other Proceedings
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).
(1) Chairs: Hannah Bardell, Sir Graham Brady, Dame Angela Eagle and Mrs Pauline Latham
(2) Members: Alberto Costa, Alex Cunningham, Peter Dowd, Mrs Flick Drummond, Laura Farris, Anna Firth, Colleen Fletcher, Vicky Ford, Mark Garnier, Stephen Hammond, Carolyn Harris, Andrew Jones, Scott Mann, Alex Norris, Jess Phillips, Chris Philp and Chris Stephens
32First Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Judicial Pensions (Remediable Service etc.) (Amendment) Regulations 2023)
(1) Chair: Sir Edward Leigh
(2) Members: Liam Byrne, Dan Carden, Dr Luke Evans, Mike Freer, Gill Furniss, James Grundy, Kim Johnson, Kim Leadbeater, Mark Menzies, David Morris, Joy Morrissey, Jill Mortimer, Kate Osborne, Dr Dan Poulter, David Simmonds, Chris Stephens and Derek Thomas
33Second Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Major Sporting Events (Income Tax Exemption) (World Athletics Indoor Championships Glasgow 24) Regulations 2023)
(1) Chair: Peter Dowd
(2) Members: Debbie Abrahams, Tonia Antoniazzi, Fiona Bruce, Richard Fuller, Fabian Hamilton, Drew Hendry, Paul Howell, Nigel Huddleston, Daniel Kawczynski, Sir Greg Knight, Robert Largan, Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck, James Murray, Lloyd Russell-Moyle, Chloe Smith, Maggie Throup and Craig Whittaker
34Third Delegated Legislation Committee (draft York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority Order 2023)
(1) Chair: Stewart Hosie
(2) Members: Sarah Atherton, Chris Clarkson, Mrs Natalie Elphicke, Jo Gideon, Mary Glindon, Damian Green, Kate Hollern, Ian Lavery, Rachel Maclean, Jim McMahon, Mr Khalid Mahmood, Mr Gagan Mohindra, Andy Slaughter, Cat Smith, Dr Jamie Wallis, Giles Watling and Jacob Young
35Fourth Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Hydrogen Production Revenue Support (Directions, Eligibility and Counterparty) Regulations 2023)
(1) Chair: James Gray
(2) Members: Sara Britcliffe, Alun Cairns, Ronnie Cowan, Mark Fletcher, Peter Gibson, Margaret Greenwood, Sally-Ann Hart, Mrs Sharon Hodgson, Kate Kniveton, Stephen Metcalfe, Navendu Mishra, Jesse Norman, Alex Sobel, Amanda Solloway, Craig Tracey, Christian Wakeford and Dr Alan Whitehead
36Fifth Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Digital Government (Disclosure of Information) (Identity Verification Services) Regulations 2023)
(1) Chair: Sir Gary Streeter
(2) Members: Lee Anderson, Jonathan Ashworth, Kirsty Blackman, Ms Karen Buck, Alex Burghart, Tracey Crouch, Mr Jonathan Djanogly, Steve Double, Katherine Fletcher, Mark Fletcher, Mary Glindon, Keir Mather, Sarah Owen, Nicola Richards, Paul Scully, Alistair Strathern and Kelly Tolhurst
37Sixth Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Higher-Risk Buildings (Keeping and Provision of Information etc.) (England) Regulations 2023)
(1) Chair: Derek Twigg
(2) Members: Mike Amesbury, Caroline Ansell, Paula Barker, David Duguid, Mary Glindon, Jonathan Gullis, Sir John Hayes, Dame Meg Hillier, Dr Neil Hudson, Mr Ranil Jayawardena, Ian Levy, Clive Lewis, Mr Gagan Mohindra, Dr Matthew Offord, Lee Rowley, Naz Shah and John Spellar
38Seventh Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Agriculture (Delinked Payments and Consequential Provisions) (England) Regulations 2023)
Members: Christian Wakeford discharged and Andrew Western nominated in substitution.
39Eighth 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 (England & Wales & Scotland))
(1) Chair: David Mundell in place of Mr Virendra Sharma.
(2) Members: David Mundell and David Simmonds discharged and Shaun Bailey and Joy Morrissey nominated in substitution.
General Committees: Reports
40Sixth Delegated Legislation Committee
Mr Philip Hollobone (Chair) reported the draft Equality Act 2010 (Amendment) Regulations 2023.
41Seventh Delegated Legislation Committee
Sir Robert Syms (Chair) reported the draft Agriculture (Delinked Payments and Consequential Provisions) (England) Regulations 2023.
42Eighth Delegated Legislation Committee
David Mundell (Chair) reported the draft Representation of the People (Overseas Electors etc.) (Amendment) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2023 and the draft Representation of the People (Overseas Electors etc.) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (England & Wales & Scotland).
Select Committees: Reports
(1) Persistent absence and support for disadvantaged pupils: Government Response to the Committee’s Seventh Report of Session 2022–23: First Special Report, to be printed (HC 368);
(2) Accountability hearings: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 136);
(3) Correspondence from the Secretary of State relating to the minimum service levels consultation: Written evidence, to be published;
(4) Ofsted’s work with schools: Written evidence, to be published (HC 117);
(5) Screen time: Impacts on education and wellbeing: Written evidence, to be published (HC 118)
(Mr Robin Walker).
Retained EU law: the progress and mechanics of reform: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 376) (Sir William Cash).
(1) Policing of protests: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 369);
(2) Correspondence from the Home Secretary relating to net migration: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Fraud: Written evidence, to be published (HC 125)
(Dame Diana Johnson).
46Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Committee
Financial distress in local authorities: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 56) (Clive Betts).
Preparedness for online safety regulation: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 73) (Dame Meg Hillier).
48Science, Innovation and Technology Committee
(1) Correspondence from the Minister for Science, Research and Innovation relating to the national vision for engineering biology: Written evidence, to be published;
(2) Correspondence from the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology relating to the UK’s association to the Horizon Europe and Copernicus programmes: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Governance of artificial intelligence (AI): Written evidence, to be published (HC 38)
(Stephen Metcalfe).
49Statutory Instruments (Joint Committee on)
Fifth Report, to be printed, with the formal minutes relating to the Report (HC 36–v) (Jessica Morden).
Rail services and infrastructure: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 361) (Iain Stewart).
(1) Small and medium enterprise finance: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 27);
(2) Sexism in the City: Written evidence, to be published (HC 240);
(3) Correspondence from the Financial Conduct Authority relating to Blackmore Bond: Written evidence, to be published;
(4) Correspondence with HM Revenue and Customs relating to the self-assessment helpline: Written evidence, to be published
(Harriett Baldwin).
(1) Impact of population change in Wales: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 103);
(2) Police and Crime Commissioners in Wales: Written evidence, to be published (HC 100)
(Stephen Crabb).
53Women and Equalities Committee
(1) Impact of the rising cost of living on women: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 128);
(2) Sexism and inequalities in sport: Written evidence, to be published (HC 130);
(3) The escalation of violence against women and girls: Written evidence, to be published (HC 131)
(Caroline Nokes).
(1) Benefit levels in the UK: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 142);
(2) Correspondence with Morrisons relating to employer pension contributions: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Correspondence with the Minister for Pensions relating to the AEAT pension scheme: Written evidence, to be published;
(4) Correspondence with the Secretary of State relating to DWP’s use of artificial intelligence: Written evidence, to be published;
(5) Correspondence with the Secretary of State relating to Plan for Jobs and employment support: Written evidence, to be published
(Sir Stephen Timms).
Eleanor Laing
Chairman of Ways and Means
Westminster Hall
The sitting began at 9.30 am.
Business appointed by the Chairman of Ways and Means (Standing Order No. 10(6))
1Government policy on conversion practices
Resolved, That this House has considered Government policy on conversion practices.—(Christian Wakeford.)
2Horserace Betting Levy Board and horse welfare
Resolved, That this House has considered the Horserace Betting Levy Board and horse welfare.—(George Eustice.)
The sitting was suspended between 11.27 am and 2.30 pm (Standing Order No. 10(1)(b)).
3Loneliness and isolation in elderly and vulnerable people
Resolved, That this House has considered loneliness and isolation in elderly and vulnerable people.—(Derek Thomas.)
4Ofsted findings on Hertfordshire's SEND services
Resolved, That this House has considered Ofsted findings on Hertfordshire's SEND services.—(Daisy Cooper.)
The sitting was suspended between 4.24 pm and 4.30 pm.
5Fatalities in childbirth and statutory leave and pay
Resolved, That this House has considered fatalities in childbirth and statutory leave and pay.—(Darren Henry.)
Sitting adjourned without Question put (Standing Order No. 10(14)).
Adjourned at 5.17 pm until tomorrow.
Eleanor Laing
Chairman of Ways and Means
Papers Laid
Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution
Draft Waste Enforcement (Fixed Penalty Receipts) (Amendment) (England and Wales) Regulations 2023 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Robbie Moore)
Draft Gender Recognition (Approved Countries and Territories and Saving Provision) Order 2023 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Kemi Badenoch)
Papers subject to Negative Resolution
Agreement, done at Kigali on 5 December 2023, between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of the Republic of Rwanda for the Provision of an Asylum Partnership Agreement to Strengthen Shared International Commitments on the Protection of Refugees and Migrants (by Command) (CP 994), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Act) (David Rutley)
Other papers
Financial Stability Report by the Financial Policy Committee: December 2023 (by Act) (Bim Afolami)
5Government Resources and Accounts
(1) Client Funds Account of the 1993 and 2003 Child Maintenance Schemes for 2022–23, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (by Act), to be printed (HC 252) (Secretary Mel Stride)
(2) Client Funds Account: 2012 Child Maintenance Scheme for 2022–23, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (by Act), to be printed (HC 251) (Secretary Mel Stride)
(3) Report and Accounts of Companies House for 2022–23, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (by Act), to be printed (HC 254) (Secretary Kemi Badenoch)
A Hillsborough Legacy: the Government’s Response to Bishop James Jones’ report to ensure the pain and suffering of the Hillsborough families is never repeated (by Command) (CP 990) (Secretary James Cleverly)
Report by the Comptroller and Auditor General on Financial services regulation: Adapting to change (by Act), to be printed (HC 313) (Clerk of the House)
8Natural Environment and Rural Communities
Report and Accounts of Natural England for 2022–23, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (by Act), to be printed (HC 17) (Secretary Steve Barclay)
Code of Practice for Ethical Policing (by Act) (Secretary James Cleverly)