Contents
Chamber business
The House met at 11.30 am.
Prayers
1Questions to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care
2Senior civil service (accountability and appointment): Motion for leave to bring in a Bill (Standing Order No. 23)
Ordered, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to make provision about the scrutiny and approval by Parliament of appointments to senior civil service roles; and for connected purposes;
That Giles Watling, Michael Fabricant, Andrew Rosindell and Mr Mark Francois present the Bill.
Giles Watling accordingly presented the Bill.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 17 May, and to be printed (Bill 171).
3Automated Vehicles Bill [Lords]: Second Reading
Bill read a second time.
4Automated Vehicles Bill [Lords]: Programme
Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 83A(7)), That the following provisions shall apply to the Automated Vehicles Bill [Lords]:
Committal
(1) The Bill shall be committed to a Public Bill Committee.
Proceedings in Public Bill Committee
(2) Proceedings in the Public Bill Committee shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion on Thursday 18 April 2024.
(3) The Public Bill Committee shall have leave to sit twice on the first day on which it meets.
Proceedings on Consideration and Third Reading
(4) Proceedings on Consideration shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion one hour before the moment of interruption on the day on which those proceedings are commenced.
(5) Proceedings on Third Reading shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion at the moment of interruption on that day.
(6) Standing Order No. 83B (Programming committees) shall not apply to proceedings on Consideration and Third Reading.
Other proceedings
(7) Any other proceedings on the Bill may be programmed.—(Anthony Browne.)
Question agreed to.
5Automated Vehicles 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 Automated Vehicles Bill [Lords], it is expedient to authorise the payment out of money provided by Parliament of any expenditure incurred under or by virtue of the Act by the Secretary of State.—(Anthony Browne.)
Question agreed to.
6Automated Vehicles 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 Automated Vehicles Bill [Lords], it is expedient to authorise:
(1) the charging of fees under the Act; and
(2) the payment of sums into the Consolidated Fund.—(Anthony Browne).
Question agreed to.
7Business of the House (Today)
Ordered, That at this day's sitting, the Speaker shall put the Questions necessary to dispose of proceedings on—
(1) the Motion in the name of Secretary Kemi Badenoch relating to the Shared Parental Leave and Pay (Bereavement) Bill: Instruction not later than 45 minutes after the commencement of proceedings on the Motion for this Order, and
(2) the Motion in the name of Secretary James Cleverly relating to British Citizenship (Northern Ireland) Bill: Instruction not later than 45 minutes after the commencement of proceedings on that Motion;
such Questions shall include the Questions on any Amendments selected by the Speaker which may then be moved; proceedings on those Motions may continue, though opposed, after the moment of interruption; and Standing Order No. 41A (Deferred divisions) shall not apply to those motions or to the motion in the name of Nigel Huddleston relating to High Streets (Designation, Review and Improvement Plan) Bill: Money.—(Penny Mordaunt.)
8Shared Parental Leave and Pay (Bereavement) Bill: Instruction
Ordered, That it be an instruction to the Committee on the Shared Parental Leave and Pay (Bereavement) Bill that the Committee have leave to make provision about paternity leave in cases involving the death of—
(a) the mother of a child,
(b) a person with whom a child is, or is expected to be, placed for adoption, or
(c) an applicant or intended applicant for a parental order under section 54 of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008.—(Kevin Hollinrake.)
9British Citizenship (Northern Ireland) Bill: Instruction
Ordered, That it be an instruction to the Committee on the British Citizenship (Northern Ireland) Bill that the Committee have leave to make provision for the acquisition of British citizenship by Irish citizens, whether born before or after 31 December 1948, who are resident in the United Kingdom.—(Tom Pursglove.)
10High Streets (Designation, Review and Improvement Plan) Bill: Money
King's Recommendation signified.
Resolved, That, for the purposes of any Act resulting from the High Streets (Designation, Review and Improvement Plan) Bill, 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.—(Jacob Young.)
11Delegated Legislation (Financial Assistance to Industry)
Ordered, That the Motion in the name of Nusrat Ghani relating to Financial Assistance to Industry shall be treated as if it related to an instrument subject to the provisions of Standing Order No. 118 (Delegated Legislation Committees) in respect of which notice has been given that the instrument be approved.—(Penny Mordaunt.)
12Statutory Instruments: Motions for Approval
(1) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Non-Domestic Rating (Rates Retention: Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2024, which were laid before this House on 20 February, be approved.—(Joy Morrissey.)
Question agreed to.
(2) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Data Protection Act 2018 (Amendment of Schedule 2 Exemptions) Regulations 2024, which were laid before this House on 31 January, be approved.—(Joy Morrissey.)
Question agreed to.
(3) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023 (Consequential and Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2024, which were laid before this House on 18 January, be approved.—(Joy Morrissey.)
Question agreed to.
(4) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Waste Enforcement (Fixed Penalty Receipts) (Amendment) (England and Wales) Regulations 2023, which were laid before this House on 10 January, be approved.—(Joy Morrissey.)
Question agreed to.
(5) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Packaging Waste (Data Reporting) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2024, which were laid before this House on 17 January, be approved.—(Joy Morrissey.)
Question agreed to.
Subject: Groceries Code Adjudicator (Mr Alistair Carmichael)
Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Joy Morrissey.)
Adjourned at 3.53 pm until tomorrow.
Other Proceedings
General Committees: Reports
14Second Delegated Legislation Committee
Dame Maria Miller (Chair) reported the draft Packaging Waste (Data Reporting) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2024 and the draft Waste Enforcement (Fixed Penalty Receipts) (Amendment) (England and Wales) Regulations 2023.
15Third Delegated Legislation Committee
Dame Angela Eagle (Chair) reported the draft Representation of the People (Variation of Election Expenses and Exclusions) Regulations 2024.
16Fourth Delegated Legislation Committee
Dr Rupa Huq (Chair) reported the draft General Aviation (Persons on Board, Flight Information and Civil Penalties) Regulations 2024.
17Fifth Delegated Legislation Committee
Sir George Howarth (Chair) reported the draft Energy Bills Discount Scheme (Amendment) 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).
18Third Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Representation of the People (Variation of Election Expenses and Exclusions) Regulations 2024)
Members: Ian Levy and Mr Gagan Mohindra discharged and Peter Gibson and Mark Jenkinson nominated in substitution.
19Fourth Delegated Legislation Committee (draft General Aviation (Persons on Board, Flight Information and Civil Penalties) Regulations 2024)
Members: Scott Mann discharged and Aaron Bell nominated in substitution.
20Fifth Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Energy Bills Discount Scheme (Amendment) Regulations 2024)
Members: Gary Sambrook discharged and Siobhan Baillie nominated in substitution.
21Sixth Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Single Source Contract (Amendment) Regulations 2024)
Members: Alun Cairns and James Heappey discharged and James Cartlidge and Dr Luke Evans nominated in substitution.
Select Committees: Reports
22Backbench Business Committee
Recommendation to the Liaison Committee on subjects for Estimates Day debates and transcript of representations made on Tuesday 5 March (Ian Mearns).
23Business and Trade Committee
(1) Post Office and Horizon redress: Instruction to deliver:
(i) Third Report, to be printed, with the formal minutes relating to the Report (HC 477);
(ii) Written evidence, to be published (HC 477);
(2) Export-led growth: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 289);
(3) Competition and Markets Authority Supplementary Estimate Memorandum 2023–24: Written evidence, to be published;
(4) Correspondence from the Competition and Markets Authority relating to Vodafone-Three merger: Written evidence, to be published;
(5) Correspondence from the Minister for Trade relating to UK-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement: Written evidence, to be published;
(6) Correspondence from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders relating to free trade agreement negotiations: Written evidence, to be published;
(7) Industrial policy: Written evidence, to be published (HC 440);
(8) UK Export Finance Supplementary Estimate Memorandum 2023–24: Written evidence, to be published
(Liam Byrne).
24Culture, Media and Sport Committee
(1) Safety at major sporting events: Government Response to the Committee’s First Report: Fifth Special Report, to be printed (HC 617);
(2) Minority languages: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 178);
(3) Charity Commission Supplementary Estimate Memorandum 2023–24: Written evidence, to be published;
(4) Correspondence with S4C: Written evidence, to be published;
(5) Correspondence with the Gambling Commission: Written evidence, to be published;
(6) Creator remuneration: Written evidence, to be published (HC 156);
(7) Department for Culture, Media and Sport Supplementary Estimate Memorandum 2023–24: Written evidence, to be published;
(8) National Archives Supplementary Estimate Memorandum 2023–24: Written evidence, to be published;
(9) The work of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport: Written evidence, to be published (HC 407);
(10) Women’s sport: Written evidence, to be published (HC 177)
(Dame Caroline Dinenage).
(1) Ofsted’s work with schools: Ofsted Response to the Committee's First Report: Second Special Report, to be printed (HC 624);
(2) Financial Education: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 265);
(3) Department for Education Supplementary Estimate Memorandum 2023–24: Written evidence, to be published;
(4) Impact of industrial action on university students: Written evidence, to be published (HC 327);
(5) Ofqual Supplementary Estimate Memorandum 2023–24: Written evidence, to be published
(6) Ofsted Supplementary Estimate Memorandum 2023–24: Written evidence, to be published;
(7) Teachers’ Pension Scheme Supplementary Estimate Memorandum 2023–24: Written evidence, to be published
(Mr Robin Walker).
26Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
(1) Education and careers in land-based sectors: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 165);
(2) Correspondence from the FSA relating to the end of Professor Susan Jebb’s tenure as Chair: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Correspondence with Minette Batters relating to the end of her tenure as NFU president: Written evidence, to be published;
(4) Fairness in the food supply chain: Written evidence, to be published (HC 160);
(5) Urban green spaces: Written evidence, to be published (HC 164)
(Sir Robert Goodwill).
Record of the Committee’s decisions taken at its meeting on 5 March, to be published (Mrs Sharon Hodgson).
28Health and Social Care Committee
(1) Men’s health: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 139);
(2) Correspondence from the British Medical Association relating to the Committee’s Report on Assisted dying/assisted suicide: Written evidence, to be published (HC 321)
(Steve Brine).
(1) Fire and Rescue Services: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 505);
(2) Correspondence from the Minister for Victims and Safeguarding: 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) Fraud: Written evidence, to be published (HC 125);
(6) Migration and Asylum: Written evidence, to be published (HC 408);
(7) Non-contact sexual offences: Written evidence, to be published (HC 504);
(8) Police and Crime Commissioners: 10 years on: Written evidence, to be published (HC 123);
(9) Work of the Home Secretary: Written evidence, to be published (HC 475);
(10) Work of the Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner: Written evidence, to be published (HC 503)
(Dame Diana Johnson).
(1) Work of the Ministry of Justice: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 599);
(2) Correspondence from the Minister for Prisons, Parole and Probation: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Correspondence from the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Justice relating to Ministry of Justice and Ministry of Justice Judicial Pension Scheme Supplementary Estimate Memoranda 2023–24: Written evidence, to be published;
(4) Correspondence from the Secretary of State: Written evidence, to be published;
(5) Correspondence with the Minister for Courts and Legal Services relating to HMCTS service Centre visit: Written evidence to be published;
(6) Crown Prosecution Service Supplementary Estimate Memorandum 2023–24: Written evidence, to be published;
(7) HM Procurator General and Treasury Solicitor Supplementary Estimate Memorandum 2023–24: Written evidence, to be published;
(8) Judicial Pensions Scheme Supplementary Estimate Memorandum 2023–24: Written evidence, to be published;
(9) Ministry of Justice Supplementary Estimate Memorandum 2023–24: Written evidence, to be published;
(10) Probate: Written evidence, to be published (HC 520);
(11) The Coroner Service: follow-up: Written evidence to be published (HC 490);
(12) The use of pre-recorded cross-examination under section 28 of the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999: Written evidence, to be published (HC 267);
(13) UK Supreme Court Supplementary Estimate Memorandum 2023–24: Written evidence, to be published;
(14) Work of the County Court: Written evidence to be published (HC 414)
(Sir Robert Neill).
(1) Estimates Days: Sir Bernard Jenkin reported, That, following the recommendation of the Backbench Business Committee on applications considered at its meeting of 5 March, the Liaison Committee recommendation for the allocation of time for the consideration of Estimates on the first allotted day in the present session (Standing Order No. 145) is as follows:
That a day not later than 18 March be allotted for the consideration of the following Estimates for financial year 2023–24:
Department for Education, insofar as it relates to special educational needs and disabilities provision (on the application of Mr Robin Walker); and
Home Office, insofar as it relates to asylum and migration (on the application of Dame Diana Johnson);
(2) The scrutiny of strategic thinking in Government: Oral and written evidence taken before the Sub-Committee on the Scrutiny of Strategic Thinking in Government, to be published (HC 31)
(Sir Bernard Jenkin).
(1) Sexism in the City: Sixth Report, to be printed, with the formal minutes relating to the Report (HC 240);
(2) Correspondence from the Cabinet Office relating to contracts awarded to Fujitsu: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Correspondence with the Financial Conduct Authority relating to the Overseas Funds Regime: Written evidence received by the Sub-Committee, to be published;
(4) Debt advice provision: Written evidence, to be published (HC 478);
(5) HM Revenue & Customs Supplementary Estimate Memorandum 2023–24: Written evidence, to be published;
(6) HM Treasury Supplementary Estimate Memorandum 2023–24: Written evidence, to be published;
(7) National Savings and Investments Supplementary Estimate Memorandum 2023–24: Written evidence, to be published;
(8) The Government Actuary’s Department Supplementary Estimate Memorandum 2023–24: Written evidence, to be published
(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))
1Educational attainment of boys
Resolved, That this House has considered the educational attainment of boys.—(Nick Fletcher.)
Motion made and Question proposed, That this House has considered farming in Wales and the UK.—(Jonathan Edwards.)
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)).
3Environmental impact of neonicotinoids and other pesticides
Resolved, That this House has considered the environmental impact of neonicotinoids and other pesticides.—(Samantha Dixon.)
The sitting was suspended between 3.36 pm and 4 pm.
Resolved, That this House has considered wine duty.—(Will Quince.)
5Performance of South West Water
Resolved, That this House has considered the performance of South West Water.—(Simon Jupp.)
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 Negative Resolution
Single Trade Window (Establishment, Operation and Information) Regulations 2024 (SI, 2024, No. 285), dated 4 March 2024 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Nigel Huddleston)
Income Tax (Exemption of Social Security Benefits) Regulations 2024 (SI, 2024, No. 287), dated 4 March 2024 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Nigel Huddleston)
National Health Service (Optical Charges and Payments) (Amendment) Regulations 2024 (SI, 2024, No. 294), dated 4 March 2024 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Andrea Leadsom)
Public Service Pensions Revaluation Order 2024 (SI, 2024, No. 290), dated 4 March 2024 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Laura Trott)
* This item has been corrected since publication. See the Votes and Proceedings relating to Wednesday 24 July 2024.
Pressure Equipment (Safety) (Amendment) Regulations 2024 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum and an Impact Assessment (by Command) (Kevin Hollinrake)
(1) Carer’s Assistance (Carer Support Payment) (Scotland) Regulations 2023 (Consequential Amendments) Order 2024 (SI, 2024, No. 282), dated 4 March 2024 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Paul Maynard)
(2) Social Security (Contributions) (Amendment No. 2) Regulations 2024 (SI, 2024, No. 289), dated 4 March 2024 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Nigel Huddleston)
Other papers
Amendments to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal (by Command) (CP 1042) (David Rutley)
CORRECTION
Monday 4 March
The following item should have appeared after item 13 (Select Committees: Reports):
Health and Social Care Committee
(1) Coronavirus: Lessons Learnt: Follow up: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 611);
(2) Correspondence from the Permanent Under-Secretary of State relating to the Baby Loss Certificate Service: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Correspondence from the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care relating to the implementation of Martha’s Rule: Written evidence, to be published;
(4) Correspondence from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health and Social Care relating to the early support hubs announcement: Written evidence, to be published;
(5) Correspondence from the Minister of State on the publication of England’s third Rare Diseases Action Plan: Written evidence, to be published;
(6) Correspondence from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State relating to Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) in hospital sites: Written evidence, to be published;
(7) Department of Health and Social Care Supplementary Estimate Memorandum 2023–24: Written evidence, to be published;
(8) Expert Panel: Evaluation of the Government’s progress on meeting patient safety recommendations: Written evidence, to be published (HC 362);
(9) Men’s health: Written Evidence, to be published (HC 139);
(10) Pharmacy: Written Evidence, to be published (HC 140);
(11) Prevention in health and social care: Written Evidence, to be published (HC 141);
(12) Work of the Department 2023–24: follow-up from the evidence session: Written evidence, to be published (HC 384)
(Steve Brine).