Contents
Chamber business
The House met at 11.30 am.
Prayers
1Questions to (1) the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
(2) the Prime Minister
2Outdoor Education Bill: Presentation (Standing Order No. 57)
Tim Farron presented a Bill to require that every child be offered at least one outdoor education experience during primary school years and at least one such experience during secondary school years; and for connected purposes.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 21 June, and to be printed (Bill 147).
3Clean Air (Human Rights): Motion for leave to bring in a Bill (Standing Order No. 23)
Ordered, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to establish the right to breathe clean air; to require the Secretary of State to achieve and maintain clean air in England; to involve the UK Health Security Agency in setting and reviewing pollutants and their limits; to enhance the powers, duties and functions of various agencies and authorities in relation to air pollution; to establish the Citizens’ Commission for Clean Air with powers to institute or intervene in legal proceedings; to require the Secretary of State and the relevant national authorities to apply environmental principles in carrying out their duties under this Act and the clean air enactments; and for connected purposes;
That Caroline Lucas, Mr Barry Sheerman, Layla Moran, Ian Byrne, Dan Carden and Munira Wilson present the Bill.
Caroline Lucas accordingly presented the Bill.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 14 June, and to be printed (Bill 145).
4Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill: Committee of the whole House (second day)
The House again resolved itself into a Committee (Programme Order, 12 December 2023).
(In the Committee)
Clause 3 (Disapplication of Human Rights Act 1998)
Amendment 11 proposed.—(Robert Jenrick.)
Question proposed, That the Amendment be made.
The Chair announced the results of the Divisions which had been deferred to this day (Standing Order No. 41A).
(1) Immigration
That the draft Immigration Act 2014 (Residential Accommodation) (Maximum Penalty) Order 2023, which was laid before this House on 15 November 2023, be approved.
Division No. 52
Ayes: 331
Noes: 51
Question agreed to.
(2) Immigration
That the draft Immigration (Employment of Adults Subject to Immigration Control) (Maximum Penalty) (Amendment) Order 2023, which was laid before this House on 15 November 2023, be approved.
Division No. 53
Ayes: 331
Noes: 51
Question agreed to.
6Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill: Committee of the whole House (second day) (resumed)
The Committee resumed the debate.
7Chair Statement: Election of the Chair of the Defence Committee
The Chair announced that Sir Jeremy Quin had been elected as Chair of the Defence Committee (Standing Order No. 122B).
8Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill: Committee of the whole House (second day) (resumed)
The Committee resumed the debate.
Amendment 11, by leave, withdrawn.
As it was six hours after the commencement of proceedings in Committee of the whole House, the Chair put the Questions necessary to bring proceedings on Clauses 3 and 5 to 10, remaining new Clauses and new Schedules, Clause 1 and remaining proceedings on the Bill to a conclusion (Programme Order, 12 December 2023).
The following Questions were put forthwith (Standing Order No. 83D).
(1) That Clause 3 stand part of the Bill (Question necessary for the disposal of the business to be concluded).
The Committee divided.
Division No. 54
Ayes: 339 (Tellers: Robert Largan, Aaron Bell)
Noes: 264 (Tellers: Kirsty Blackman, Steven Bonnar)
Question agreed to.
Clause 3 accordingly agreed to.
(2) That Amendment 23 be made (Question on an Amendment selected for separate decision).—(Robert Jenrick.)
The Committee divided.
Division No. 55
Ayes: 65 (Tellers: Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg, Miriam Cates)
Noes: 536 (Tellers: Robert Largan, Aaron Bell)
Question negatived.
(3) That Clauses 5 to 8 stand part of the Bill (single Question necessary for the disposal of the business to be concluded).
The Committee divided.
Division No. 56
Ayes: 340 (Tellers: Robert Largan, Aaron Bell)
Noes: 263 (Tellers: Kirsty Blackman, Steven Bonnar)
Question agreed to.
Clauses 5 to 8 accordingly agreed to.
(4) That Amendment 36 be made (Question on an Amendment selected for separate decision).—(Stephen Kinnock.)
The Committee divided.
Division No. 57
Ayes: 263 (Tellers: Andrew Western, Samantha Dixon)
Noes: 339 (Tellers: Robert Largan, Aaron Bell)
Question negatived.
(5) That Clauses 9 and 10 stand part of the Bill (single Question necessary for the disposal of the business to be concluded).
The Committee divided.
Division No. 58
Ayes: 340 (Tellers: Scott Mann, Mark Fletcher)
Noes: 264 (Tellers: Kirsty Blackman, Steven Bonnar)
Question agreed to.
Clauses 9 and 10 accordingly agreed to.
(6) That New Clause NC8 be added to the Bill (Question on a New Clause selected for separate decision).—(Stephen Kinnock.)
The Committee divided.
Division No. 59
Ayes: 264 (Tellers: Andrew Western, Samantha Dixon)
Noes: 338 (Tellers: Scott Mann, Mark Fletcher)
Question negatived.
(7) That Clause 1 stand part of the Bill (Question necessary for the disposal of the business to be concluded).
Question agreed to.
The occupant of the Chair left the Chair to report the Bill (Programme Order, 12 December 2023).
The Speaker resumed the Chair.
9Speaker's Statement: Death of a Member
The Speaker reported to the House the death of Sir Tony Lloyd, the Member for Rochdale, and extended the sympathy of the House to the Member's family and friends.
10Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill: Report from the Committee of the whole House
Ruth Edwards reported, That the Committee had gone through the Bill and made no amendment.
11Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill: Third Reading
Motion made and Question put, That the Bill be now read the third time.
The House divided.
Division No. 60
Ayes: 320 (Tellers: Mark Fletcher, Scott Mann)
Noes: 276 (Tellers: Samantha Dixon, Andrew Western)
Question agreed to and Bill passed.
12Statutory Instruments: Motions for Approval
(1) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Medical Devices (In Vitro Diagnostic Devices etc.) (Amendment) Regulations 2023, which were laid before this House on 14 November 2023, be approved.—(Mark Fletcher.)
Question agreed to.
(2) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Employment Tribunals and Employment Appeal Tribunal (Composition of Tribunal) Regulations 2023, which were laid before this House on 14 November 2023, be approved.—(Mark Fletcher.)
Question agreed to.
(3) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Child Support (Management of Payments and Arrears and Fees) (Amendment) Regulations 2023, which were laid before this House on 13 November 2023, be approved.—(Mark Fletcher.)
Question agreed to.
Subject: Hospice funding in Devon (Simon Jupp)
Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Mark Fletcher.)
Adjourned at 9.54 pm until tomorrow.
Other Proceedings
Lords Messages
14Post Office (Horizon System) Compensation Bill
The Lords agree to the Post Office (Horizon System Compensation) Bill without amendment.
General Committees: Reports
15Sixth Delegated Legislation Committee
Dame Caroline Dinenage (Chair) reported the draft Anaesthesia Associates and Physician Associates Order 2024.
16Seventh Delegated Legislation Committee
Martin Vickers (Chair) reported the draft Public Offers and Admissions to Trading Regulations 2023, the draft Securitisation Regulations 2023, the draft Financial Services Act 2021 (Overseas Funds Regime and Recognition of Parts of Schemes) (Amendment and Modification) Regulations 2024 and the draft Data Reporting Services Regulations 2023.
17Eighth Delegated Legislation Committee
James Gray (Chair) reported the draft Wine (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2024.
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).
18First Delegated Legislation Committee (Iran (Sanctions) Regulations 2023 (SI, 2023, No. 1314))
Members: Olivia Blake, Dr Lisa Cameron, Leo Docherty, Margaret Greenwood, Luke Hall, Stephen Hammond, Rebecca Harris, Paul Holmes, Kim Leadbeater, Clive Lewis, Stewart Malcolm McDonald, Damien Moore, Neil O’Brien, Tulip Siddiq, John Spellar, Theresa Villiers and Giles Watling
19Second Delegated Legislation Committee (Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) (Amendment) (No. 5) Regulations 2023 (SI, 2023, No. 1367) and Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) (Amendment) (No. 4) Regulations 2023 (SI, 2023, No. 1364))
Members: Liam Byrne, Tracey Crouch, Leo Docherty, Rosie Duffield, Rebecca Harris, Dr Neil Hudson, Christine Jardine, Gerald Jones, Kate Kniveton, Stewart Malcolm McDonald, Cherilyn Mackrory, Navendu Mishra, Paul Scully, Tulip Siddiq, Edward Timpson, Kelly Tolhurst and Craig Tracey
20Third Delegated Legislation Committee (Church of England (Miscellaneous Provisions) Measure (HC 341) and the Church of England Pensions (Application of Capital Funds) Measure (HC 342))
Members: Mr Richard Bacon, Bob Blackman, Sir Conor Burns, Luke Hall, Kim Johnson, Sir Brandon Lewis, James Morris, Joy Morrissey, Sarah Owen, Mark Pawsey, Bell Ribeiro-Addy, Lloyd Russell-Moyle, Andrew Selous, Mark Tami, Sam Tarry, Shailesh Vara and Beth Winter
21Fourth Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Sentencing Act 2020 (Amendment of Schedule 21) Regulations 2023)
Members: Nickie Aiken, Lee Anderson, Gareth Bacon, Paul Blomfield, Kevin Brennan, Marsha De Cordova, David Duguid, Kevin Foster, Fabian Hamilton, Mrs Sharon Hodgson, Rachel Hopkins, Gerald Jones, Danny Kruger, Joy Morrissey, Sir Jeremy Quin, David Simmonds and Sir Jeremy Wright
22Fifth Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Investigatory Powers Act 2016 (Remedial) Order 2023)
Members: Aaron Bell, Sir Geoffrey Cox, Neil Coyle, Colleen Fletcher, Richard Graham, Peter Grant, Dan Jarvis, Mr Ranil Jayawardena, Dame Diana Johnson, Mr Kevan Jones, Keir Mather, Jill Mortimer, Dr Kieran Mullan, David Simmonds, Derek Thomas, Maggie Throup and Tom Tugendhat
23Sixth Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Anaesthesia Associates and Physician Associates Order 2024)
Members: Brendan Clarke-Smith discharged and Mr Gagan Mohindra nominated in substitution.
24Sixth Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Local Government Finance Act 1988 (Prescription of Non-Domestic Rating Multipliers) (England) Regulations 2023)
Members: Ms Karen Buck, Ian Byrne, Stella Creasy, Jon Cruddas, Samantha Dixon, Simon Fell, Nick Gibb, Chris Green, Trudy Harrison, Paul Howell, Nigel Huddleston, Andrew Jones, Robert Largan, Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck, Jerome Mayhew, James Murray and Priti Patel
25Seventh Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Public Offers and Admissions to Trading Regulations 2023, draft Securitisation Regulations 2023, draft Financial Services Act 2021 (Overseas Funds Regime and Recognition of Parts of Schemes) (Amendment and Modification) Regulations 2024 and draft Data Reporting Services Regulations 2023)
Members: Lia Nici discharged and Joy Morrissey nominated in substitution.
26Seventh Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Legal Services Act 2007 (Approved Regulator) Order 2023)
Members: Adam Afriyie, Dr Rosena Allin-Khan, Mr Ben Bradshaw, Alex Cunningham, Sir Michael Ellis, Mike Freer, Mr Marcus Fysh, Gerald Jones, Mr Kevan Jones, Mr Jonathan Lord, Scott Mann, Charlotte Nichols, Selaine Saxby, Alec Shelbrooke, David Simmonds, Zarah Sultana and Mr Ben Wallace
27Eighth Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (Amendment) Order 2024)
Members: Aaron Bell, Fiona Bruce, Rob Butler, Sarah Champion, Colleen Fletcher, Sir John Hayes, Gordon Henderson, Antony Higginbotham, Gareth Johnson, Dr Kieran Mullan, Holly Mumby-Croft, Alex Norris, Chris Philp, Cat Smith, Alex Sobel, Alison Thewliss and Sir Stephen Timms
Select Committees: Reports
28Energy Security and Net Zero Committee
(1) A flexible grid for the future: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 113);
(2) Heating our homes: Written evidence, to be published (HC 115)
(Angus Brendan MacNeil).
29Environmental Audit Committee
(1) Enabling sustainable electrification of the UK economy: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 278);
(2) Correspondence with the Chief Executive of Boohoo plc relating to fixing fashion: follow up: Written evidence, to be published
(Philip Dunne).
30Holocaust Memorial Bill (Select Committee on)
Petitioning against the Holocaust Memorial Bill: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 121) (John Stevenson).
(1) Policing Priorities: Government Response to the Committee’s Fifth Report of Session 2022–23: Second Special Report, to be printed (HC 470);
(2) Fraud: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 125);
(3) Migration and asylum: Written evidence, to be published (HC 408);
(4) Policing of protests: Written evidence, to be published (HC 369)
(Dame Diana Johnson).
32Human Rights (Joint Committee on)
(1) Legislative scrutiny: Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 435);
(2) Ministerial scrutiny: Human rights: Written evidence, to be published (HC 182)
(Joanna Cherry).
33International Development Committee
Correspondence with the Secretary of State relating to the health care situation in Gaza: Written evidence, to be published (Sarah Champion).
34Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Committee
(1) Fire safety: Oral evidence and written evidence, to be published (HC 62);
(2) Children, young people and the built environment: Written evidence, to be published (HC 94);
(3) Correspondence from the Minister for Local Government: Written evidence, to be published;
(4) Correspondence from the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities: Written evidence, to be published;
(5) Correspondence with the Minister of State for Housing, Planning and Building Safety: Written evidence, to be published;
(6) Correspondence with the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Housing and Communities: Written evidence, to be published
(Clive Betts).
35Northern Ireland Affairs Committee
(1) Renewable energy and net zero in Northern Ireland: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 428);
(2) Correspondence with the Secretary of State: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Integrated education: Written evidence, to be published (HC 373)
(Sir Robert Buckland).
(1) Commons scrutiny of Secretaries of State in the House of Lords:
(i) First Report, to be printed, with the formal minutes relating to the Report (HC 338);
(ii) Written evidence, to be published (HC 338);
(2) Correspondence with the Chair of the Legislation, Justice, and Constitutional Committee, Senedd Cymru relating to statutory instruments: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Correspondence with the Speaker relating to risk-based exclusions: Written evidence, to be published
(Dame Karen Bradley).
37Public Accounts (Committee of)
Lessons for Government: monitoring and responding to companies in distress: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 425) (Dame Meg Hillier).
38Science, Innovation and Technology Committee
(1) Correspondence from the Minister of State for Energy, Security and Net Zero relating to long duration electricity storage: Written evidence, to be published;
(2) Correspondence from the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero relating to the expansion of nuclear power: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Correspondence from the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology relating to the potential sale of the Rosalind Franklin Laboratory: Written evidence, to be published
(Greg Clark).
39Statutory Instruments (Joint Committee on)
Eighth Report, to be printed, with the formal minutes relating to the Report (HC 36-viii) (Jessica Morden).
Sexism in the City: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 240) (Harriett Baldwin).
(1) Broadcasting in Wales: Government Response to the Committee’s Fifth Report of Session 2022–23: First Special Report, to be printed (HC 489);
(2) Prisons in Wales: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 101);
(3) Broadcasting in Wales: Written evidence, to be published (HC 292);
(4) Water quality in Wales: Written evidence, to be published (HC 104)
(Stephen Crabb).
42Women and Equalities Committee
(1) The escalation of violence against women and girls: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 131);
(2) Correspondence from the Home Secretary relating to the Istanbul Convention: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Misogyny in music: Part of the written evidence, to be published (HC 129)
(Caroline Nokes).
(1) Statutory Sick Pay: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 148);
(2) Correspondence from Waltham Forest Council relating to the Household Support Fund: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Defined benefit pension schemes: Written evidence, to be published (HC 144)
(Sir Stephen Timms).
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))
1Network North and the cancellation of HS2 Phase 2a
Motion made and Question proposed, That this House has considered Network North and the cancellation of HS2 Phase 2a.—(Jack Brereton.)
The Chair announced a time limit on backbench speeches (under the authority of the Chairman of Ways and Means and Standing Order No. 47(1)).
Resolved, That this House has considered Network North and the cancellation of HS2 Phase 2a.
2Regulation of defined benefit pension schemes
Motion made and Question proposed, That this House has considered the regulation of defined benefit pension schemes.—(Mr Alistair Carmichael.)
At 11.30 am, the Motion lapsed (Standing Order No.10(6)).
The sitting was suspended between 11.30 am and 2.30 pm (Standing Order No. 10(1)(b)).
Resolved, That this House has considered inheritance tax.—(Jon Trickett.)
4Morecambe Town Council precepts
Resolved, That this House has considered Morecambe Town Council precepts.—(David Morris.)
The sitting was suspended between 4.26 pm and 4.30 pm.
5Public sector pay round for financial year 2024–25
Resolved, That this House has considered the public sector pay round for financial year 2024–25.—(Beth Winter.)
Sitting adjourned without Question put (Standing Order No. 10(14)).
Adjourned at 5.29 pm until tomorrow.
Eleanor Laing
Chairman of Ways and Means
Papers Laid
Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution
Draft Packaging Waste (Data Reporting) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2024 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Steve Barclay)
Papers subject to Negative Resolution
Sovereign Grant Act 2011 (Change of Percentage) Order 2024 (SI, 2024, No. 52), dated 16 January 2024 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Gareth Davies)
Other papers
Office for Environmental Protection: Progress in improving the natural environment in England 2022–23 (by Act) (Clerk of the House)
Election for Chair of the Defence Committee: Results (The Speaker)
(1) Report by the Comptroller and Auditor General on HM Revenue and Customs: Administration of Scottish income tax 2022–23 (by Act), to be printed (HC 388) (Clerk of the House)
(2) Report by the Comptroller and Auditor General on HM Revenue and Customs: Administration of Welsh rates of income tax 2022–23 (by Act), to be printed (HC 389) (Clerk of the House)
Decision No. 1, 2023, done at Brussels on 4 December 2023, of the Specialised Committee on Participation in Union Programmes Established by Article 8(1), Point(s), of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community, of the one part, and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, of the other part, of 4 December 2023 adopting Protocols I and II and amending Annex 47 of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (by Command) (CP 1010) (David Rutley)
SPEAKER’S CERTIFICATES
VOTING BY PROXY (STANDING ORDER NO. 39A)
(Variations to existing arrangements appear in bold.)
|
Member |
From |
To |
Proxy |
|
Stuart Anderson |
12 December |
16 January 2024 |
Mr Marcus Jones |
|
Sir James Duddridge |
11 January |
10 July |
Mr Mark Francois |
CORRECTION
Tuesday 16 January 2024
The following item should have appeared under item 32 (Select Committee: Reports):
Justice Committee
(1) Public opinion and understanding of sentencing: Government and Sentencing Council Responses to the Committee’s Tenth Report of Session 2022-23: Second Special Report, to be printed (HC 442);
(2) Work of the Lady Chief Justice: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 466);
(3) Correspondence from the Secretary of State: Written evidence, to be published;
(4) Correspondence with the Secretary of State relating to Post Office convictions – planned legislation: Written evidence, to be published;
(5) Regulation of the legal professions: Written evidence, to be published (HC 266)
(Sir Robert Neill).