Contents
The House met at 11.30 am.
Prayers
1Questions to (1) the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
(2) the Prime Minister
2Urgent Question: Post Office board and governance (Kevin Hollinrake)
3Statements: (1) Ukraine update (Mr Andrew Mitchell)
(2) Defence acquisition reform (James Cartlidge)
4High Income Child Benefit Charge (Review and Impact Assessment) Bill: Presentation (Standing Order No. 57)
Wendy Chamberlain presented a Bill to require the Secretary of State to undertake and publish a review of the merits of raising the income threshold for the High Income Child Benefit Charge and of reforming the process for declaring income above that threshold; to require the Secretary of State to publish an assessment of the impact of the High Income Child Benefit Charge on single parents and on full-time caregivers for children; and for connected purposes.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 21 June, and to be printed (Bill 170).
5Brain tumours: Motion for leave to bring in a Bill (Standing Order No. 23)
Ordered, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to set a target for the number of glioblastoma patients who take part in clinical trials each year; to require training for medical oncologists to include training relating to brain cancers; to provide that any drug that has been licensed for use on tumours must be trialled on people with brain tumours; to make provision in relation to neuro-oncology multidisciplinary teams in the NHS, including a requirement that each such team must include a medical oncologist; to require manufacturers of drugs licensed to treat tumours to make those drugs available in specified circumstances for clinical trials relating to brain tumours; to make provision about the application of funding caps on funding for multi-drug treatments for glioblastoma brain tumours; to make provision about the processes for funding of drugs intended for the treatment of glioblastoma; to make provision about the management of drug trial data, for the purpose of increasing the quality of data relating to glioblastoma patients; to make provision about reviewing the allocation of existing funding for brain tumour research by the National Institute for Health and Care Research; to make provision about the direct referral of patients by optometrists to accident and emergency departments for the purpose of diagnosing brain tumours; and for connected purposes;
That Dame Siobhain McDonagh, Will Quince, George Freeman, Tracey Crouch, Steve Brine, Helen Hayes, Paul Blomfield, Sarah Owen, Dame Meg Hillier, Daisy Cooper and Wes Streeting present the Bill.
Dame Siobhain McDonagh accordingly presented the Bill.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 19 April, and to be printed (Bill 169).
6Pedicabs (London) Bill [Lords]: Second Reading
Bill read a second time.
7Pedicabs (London) Bill [Lords]: Programme
Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 83A(7)), That the following provisions shall apply to the Pedicabs (London) Bill [Lords]:
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 (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion three hours after their commencement.
(3) Any proceedings on Consideration and proceedings on Third Reading shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion four hours after the commencement of proceedings in Committee of the whole House.
(4) 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
(5) Any other proceedings on the Bill may be programmed.—(Joy Morrissey.)
Question agreed to.
8Pedicabs (London) Bill [Lords]: Money
King’s Recommendation signified.
Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 52(1)(a)), That, for the purposes of any Act resulting from the Pedicabs (London) Bill [Lords], it is expedient to authorise the payment out of money provided by Parliament of any increase attributable to the Act in the sums payable under any other Act out of money so provided.—(Joy Morrissey.)
Question agreed to.
9Pedicabs (London) Bill [Lords]: Ways and Means
Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 52(1)(a)), That, for the purposes of any Act resulting from the Pedicabs (London) Bill [Lords], it is expedient to authorise the charging of fees under the Act.—(Joy Morrissey.)
Question agreed to.
10Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and International Committee of the Red Cross (Status) Bill: Money
King's recommendation signified.
Resolved, That, for the purposes of any Act resulting from the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and International Committee of the Red Cross (Status) Bill, it is expedient to authorise the payment out of money provided by Parliament of any amount refunded in respect of any tax or duty in accordance with arrangements made under the Act.—(Nigel Huddleston.)
11Statutory Instruments: Motions for Approval
(1) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Paternity Leave (Amendment) Regulations 2024, which were laid before this House on 10 January, be approved.—(Joy Morrissey.)
Question agreed to.
(2) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Occupational Pension Schemes (Collective Money Purchase Schemes) (Amendment) Regulations 2023, which were laid before this House on 14 December 2023, be approved.—(Joy Morrissey.)
Question agreed to.
12Public petitions
A public petition from residents of the constituency of Ealing Southall relating to Southall Crown Post Office was presented and read by Mr Virendra Sharma.
13Adjournment
Subject: British justice system and international corruption cases (Sir David Davis)
Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Mr Gagan Mohindra.)
Adjourned at 5.29 pm until tomorrow.
Other Proceedings
Changes to Notices Given
14Welfare Benefits (Adequacy, Debt and Deductions) Bill
Order for Second Reading on Friday 1 March, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 17 May.
15Police (Declaration) Bill
Order for Second Reading on Friday 1 March, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 7 June.
16Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity (Ratification of Treaty) Bill
Order for Second Reading on Friday 1 March, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 22 March.
General Committees: Reports
17Zoological Society of London (Leases) Bill Committee
Sir Edward Leigh (Chair) reported the Bill without amendment.
Bill, not amended, to be considered on Friday 19 April.
18Fifth Delegated Legislation Committee
Martin Vickers (Chair) reported the draft Non-Domestic Rating (Rates Retention: Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2024.
19Sixth Delegated Legislation Committee
Valerie Vaz (Chair) reported the Data Protection Act 2018 (Amendment of Schedule 2 Exemptions) 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).
20Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and International Committee of the Red Cross (Status) Bill Committee
Members: Tonia Antoniazzi, Harriett Baldwin, Dame Karen Bradley, Steve Brine, Theo Clarke, Dame Caroline Dinenage, Julie Elliott, Mr Tobias Ellwood, Chris Elmore, Wera Hobhouse, Paul Holmes, Kim Johnson, Mr Ian Liddell-Grainger, Dame Maria Miller, Mr Andrew Mitchell, Kate Osborne and Liz Saville Roberts
21Investigatory Powers (Amendment) Bill [Lords] Committee
Members: Nickie Aiken, Feryal Clark, Peter Dowd, Mr Tobias Ellwood, Ben Everitt, Colleen Fletcher, Kevin Foster, Sir John Hayes, Dan Jarvis, Mr Kevan Jones, Stuart C. McDonald, Scott Mann, Dr Kieran Mullan, Bob Seely, Sir Desmond Swayne, Owen Thompson and Tom Tugendhat
22First Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023 (Consequential and Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2024)
Members: Jack Brereton, Richard Burgon, Sarah Champion, Jon Cruddas, James Daly, Mary Glindon, Mrs Paulette Hamilton, Rachel Hopkins, Tom Hunt, Ian Levy, Mr Gagan Mohindra, Neil O’Brien, Matthew Pennycook, Selaine Saxby, Steve Tuckwell, Giles Watling and Jacob Young
23Second Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Packaging Waste (Data Reporting) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2024 and draft Waste Enforcement (Fixed Penalty Receipts) (Amendment) (England and Wales) Regulations 2023)
Members: Tracey Crouch, Ruth Edwards, Simon Fell, Colleen Fletcher, Nick Gibb, Ruth Jones, Andrew Lewer, Chris Loder, Robbie Moore, Anne Marie Morris, Jill Mortimer, Yasmin Qureshi, Sir Alec Shelbrooke, Andy Slaughter, Cat Smith, Sam Tarry and Owen Thompson
24Third Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Representation of the People (Variation of Election Expenses and Exclusions) Regulations 2024)
Members: Peter Aldous, Tahir Ali, Paula Barker, Dawn Butler, Florence Eshalomi, Mary Glindon, Simon Hoare, Sir Bernard Jenkin, Gareth Johnson, Kim Johnson, Ian Levy, Sir Brandon Lewis, Mr Gagan Mohindra, Holly Mumby-Croft, Alex Sobel, Jane Stevenson and Julian Sturdy
25Fourth Delegated Legislation Committee (draft General Aviation (Persons on Board, Flight Information and Civil Penalties) Regulations 2024)
Members: Olivia Blake, Paul Blomfield, Paul Bristow, Rob Butler, Colleen Fletcher, Jo Gideon, Stephen Kinnock, Jack Lopresti, Scott Mann, Sarah Owen, Tom Pursglove, Will Quince, James Sunderland, Alison Thewliss, Sir Stephen Timms, Theresa Villiers and Sir John Whittingdale
26Fifth Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Energy Bills Discount Scheme (Amendment) Regulations 2024)
Members: Richard Drax, Rosie Duffield, Mark Fletcher, Barry Gardiner, Peter Gibson, Mr Philip Hollobone, Kwasi Kwarteng, Mr Jonathan Lord, Joy Morrissey, Charlotte Nichols, Gary Sambrook, Paul Scully, Jeff Smith, Amanda Solloway, Chris Stephens, Dr Alan Whitehead and Mohammad Yasin
27Sixth Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Data Protection Act 2018 (Amendment of Schedule 2 Exemptions) Regulations 2024)
Members: Sally-Ann Hart, Stephen Kinnock and Mr Ian Liddell-Grainger discharged and Joy Morrissey, Alex Norris and Angela Richardson nominated in substitution.
28Sixth Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Single Source Contract (Amendment) Regulations 2024)
Members: Debbie Abrahams, Sir Jake Berry, Fiona Bruce, Liam Byrne, Alun Cairns, Dame Angela Eagle, Mark Eastwood, Peter Grant, Fabian Hamilton, James Heappey, Gordon Henderson, Dame Andrea Jenkyns, Gerald Jones, Joy Morrissey, Sir Mike Penning, Bell Ribeiro-Addy and Angela Richardson
29Seventh Delegated Legislation Committee (draft South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (Election of Mayor and Transfer of Police and Crime Commissioner Functions) Order 2024)
Members: Mr Richard Bacon, Miriam Cates, Sir Geoffrey Cox, Mr Jonathan Djanogly, Mrs Natalie Elphicke, Colleen Fletcher, Sir Liam Fox, Sir Robert Goodwill, Clive Lewis, Mr Khalid Mahmood, Scott Mann, Keir Mather, Dr Kieran Mullan, Alex Norris, Chris Philp, Ms Marie Rimmer and Alistair Strathern
Select Committees: Reports
30Business and Trade Committee
Post Office and Horizon – Compensation: follow-up: Written evidence, to be published (HC 477) (Liam Byrne).
31Defence Committee
Ministry of Defence Supplementary Estimate Memorandum 2023–24: Written evidence, to be published (Sir Jeremy Quin).
32Energy Security and Net Zero Committee
(1) Securing the domestic supply chain: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 298);
(2) Heating our homes: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 115);
(3) A flexible grid for the future: Written evidence, to be published (HC 113);
(4) Correspondence from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero: Written evidence, to be published;
(5) Department for Energy Security and Net Zero Supplementary Estimate Memorandum 2023–24: Written evidence, to be published;
(6) Energy bills for domestic customers: Written evidence, to be published (HC 299);
(7) Keeping the power on: our future energy technology mix: Written evidence, to be published (HC 116);
(8) Ofgem Supplementary Estimate Memorandum 2023–24: Written evidence, to be published;
(9) UKAEA Pension Schemes Supplementary Estimate Memorandum 2023–24: Written evidence, to be published
(Angus Brendan MacNeil).
33Environmental Audit Committee
(1) The role of natural capital in the green economy: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 280);
(2) Correspondence from the Executive Producer of BBC Panorama relating to fixing fashion: follow up: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Enabling sustainable electrification of the UK economy: Written evidence, to be published (HC 278)
(Philip Dunne).
34European Scrutiny Committee
(1) PESCO and UK-EU defence cooperation: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 168);
(2) Correspondence from the Minister for Investment and Regulatory Reform relating to Retained EU Law: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Correspondence with the Chairperson of the Northern Ireland Assembly Windsor Framework Democratic Scrutiny Committee relating to a Committee visit: Written evidence, to be published;
(4) Retained EU Law: the progress and mechanics of reform: Written evidence, to be published (HC 376)
(Sir William Cash).
35Foreign Affairs
The UK Government’s engagement regarding the British Indian Ocean Territory: Oral evidence taken before the Sub-Committee on the Overseas Territories, to be published (HC 598) (Alicia Kearns).
36Home Affairs Committee
(1) Fraud: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 125);
(2) Correspondence from the Minister for Countering Illegal Migration: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Correspondence from the Permanent Secretary: Written evidence, to be published;
(4) Correspondence with the Home Secretary: Written evidence, to be published;
(5) Home Office 2023–24 Supplementary Estimates Memorandum: Written evidence, to be published;
(6) National Crime Agency 2023–24 Supplementary Estimates Memorandum: Written evidence, to be published
(Dame Diana Johnson).
37International Development Committee
Humanitarian situation in Gaza:
(i) Second Report, to be printed, with the formal minutes relating to the Report (HC 110);
(ii) Written evidence, to be published (HC 110)
(Sarah Champion).
38Northern Ireland Affairs Committee
(1) Integrated education: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 373);
(2) Renewable energy and net zero in Northern Ireland: Written evidence, to be published (HC 428)
(Sir Robert Buckland).
39Science, Innovation and Technology Committee
(1) Insect decline and UK food security: Second Report, to be printed, with the formal minutes relating to the Report (HC 326);
(2) Emerging diseases and learnings from covid-19: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 506);
(3) Correspondence from the Minster of State for Nuclear and Networks relating to nuclear RAB industry code and licence modifications: Written evidence, to be published;
(4) Correspondence from the Minister of State for Science, Innovation and Technology relating to animal testing and non-animal research methods: Written evidence, to be published;
(4) Correspondence from the Secretary of State relating to the status of DSIT’s digital infrastructure: Written evidence, to be published
(Greg Clark).
40Transport Committee
Rail services and infrastructure: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 361) (Iain Stewart).
41Treasury Committee
Small and medium enterprise finance: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 27) (Harriett Baldwin).
42Welsh Affairs Committee
Business support in Wales: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 567) (Stephen Crabb).
43Women and Equalities Committee
(1) Health barriers for women and girls in sport: Third Report, to be printed, with the formal minutes relating to the Report (HC 130);
(2) The rights of older people: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 132);
(3) Impact of the rising cost of living on women: Written evidence, to be published (HC 128);
(4) Menopause and the workplace: Written evidence, to be published (HC 91);
(5) The escalation of violence against women and girls: Written evidence, to be published (HC 131)
(Caroline Nokes).
44Work and Pensions Committee
(1) Safeguarding vulnerable claimants: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 146);
(2) Correspondence with The Pensions Regulator relating to the West Midlands Pension Fund: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Correspondence with the Secretary of State relating to the Plan for Jobs and employment support: Written evidence, to be published;
(4) Defined benefit pension schemes: Written evidence, to be published (HC 144);
(5) Department for Work and Pensions Supplementary Estimate Memorandum 2023–24: Written evidence, to be published;
(6) Norton pension schemes and the Fraud Compensation Fund: Written evidence, to be published (HC 145)
(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))
1Trends in funding levels for youth services
Resolved, That this House has considered trends in funding levels for youth services.—(Rachel Hopkins.)
2Provision of cycle trails
Resolved, That this House has considered the provision of cycle trails.—(Tracey Crouch.)
The sitting was suspended between 11.28 am and 2.30 pm (Standing Order No. 10(1)(b)).
3Leasehold reform and new homes
Resolved, That this House has considered leasehold reform and new homes.—(Neil O’Brien.)
The sitting was suspended between 3.38 pm and 4 pm.
4Rebuild of Leighton Hospital
Resolved, That this House has considered the rebuild of Leighton Hospital.—(Dr Kieran Mullan.)
The sitting was suspended between 4.15 pm and 4.30 pm.
5Digital exclusion
Motion made and Question proposed, That this House has considered digital exclusion.—(Justin Madders.)
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 digital exclusion.
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
1Sanctions
Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) (Amendment) Regulations 2024 (SI, 2024, No. 218), dated 26 February 2024 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Anne-Marie Trevelyan)
Papers subject to Negative Resolution
2Civil Aviation
Aviation Security (Air Cargo Agents) Regulations 2024 (SI, 2024, No. 228), dated 27 February 2024 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Mark Harper)
3Copyright
Copyright and Performances (Application to Other Countries) (Amendment) Order 2024 (SI, 2024, No. 193), dated 21 February 2024 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Michelle Donelan)
4Sea Fisheries
Sea Fisheries (Amendment) Regulations 2024 (SI, 2024, No. 231), dated 27 February 2024 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Steve Barclay)
Other papers
5Defence (Votes A) 2024–25
Estimates of the maximum numbers of personnel to be maintained for service with the Armed Forces for the year ending 31 March 2025 (by Command), to be printed (HC 529) (Secretary Grant Shapps)
6Pensions
Naval, Military and Air Forces Etc. (Disablement and Death) Service Pensions (Amendment) Order (SI, 2024, No. 191), dated 21 February 2024 (by Act) (Secretary Grant Shapps)
7Political Parties, Elections and Referendums
First Report in 2024 from the Speaker’s Committee on the Electoral Commission, Comments on the Electoral Commission’s Supplementary Supply Estimate 2023/24 (by Act), to be printed (HC 593) (The Speaker)
8Treaty Series No. 8 (2024)
Amendment, done at Geneva on 22 September 1995, to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal, concluded at Basel on 22 March 1989 (by Command) (CP 1039) (David Rutley)