Contents
Chamber business
The House met at 11.30 am.
Prayers
1Questions to the Chancellor of the Exchequer
2Urgent Question: Israel and Gaza (Mr Andrew Mitchell)
3Football Governance Bill: Presentation (Standing Order No. 57)
Secretary Lucy Frazer, supported by the Prime Minister, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Secretary James Cleverly, Secretary David T C Davies, John Glen and Stuart Andrew, presented a Bill to establish the Independent Football Regulator; to make provision for the licensing of football clubs; to make provision about the distribution of revenue received by organisers of football competitions; and for connected purposes.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time tomorrow, and to be printed (Bill 187) with Explanatory Notes (Bill 187–EN).
4Illegal and unsustainable fishing (due diligence): Motion for leave to bring in a Bill (Standing Order No. 23)
Ordered, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to require suppliers and retailers of fish and related products to establish and implement due diligence systems to ensure that those products are not obtained from illegal or unsustainable fishing; and for connected purposes;
That Chris Grayling, Andrew Selous, Harriett Baldwin, Alex Sobel, Dr Matthew Offord, Ian Levy, Barry Gardiner and Trudy Harrison present the Bill.
Chris Grayling accordingly presented the Bill.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 21 June, and to be printed (Bill 186).
5Trade (Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership) Bill [Lords]: Consideration of the Bill, not amended in the Public Bill Committee
New Clause NC1—(Sir Iain Duncan Smith)—brought up, and read the first time.
Question proposed, That the Clause be read a second time.
Clause, by leave, withdrawn.
New Clause NC4—(Gareth Thomas)—brought up, and read the first time.
Question put, That the Clause be read a second time.
The House divided.
Division No. 108
Ayes: 224 (Tellers: Samantha Dixon, Gerald Jones)
Noes: 301 (Tellers: Dame Amanda Milling, Ruth Edwards)
Question negatived.
New Clause NC5—(Gareth Thomas)—brought up, and read the first time.
Question put, That the Clause be read a second time.
The House divided.
Division No. 109
Ayes: 217 (Tellers: Samantha Dixon, Gerald Jones)
Noes: 305 (Tellers: Dame Amanda Milling, Ruth Edwards)
Question negatived.
New Clause NC10—(Richard Thomson)—brought up, and read the first time.
Question put, That the Clause be read a second time.
The House divided.
Division No. 110
Ayes: 218 (Tellers: Peter Grant, Kirsty Blackman)
Noes: 305 (Tellers: Dame Amanda Milling, Ruth Edwards)
Question negatived.
New Clause NC12—(Sarah Green)—brought up, and read the first time.
Question put, That the Clause be read a second time.
The House divided.
Division No. 111
Ayes: 219 (Tellers: Samantha Dixon, Gerald Jones)
Noes: 306 (Tellers: Dame Amanda Milling, Ruth Edwards)
Question negatived.
Consideration completed.
6Trade (Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership) Bill [Lords]: Third Reading
Bill read the third time and passed without amendments.
7Statutory Instruments: Motions for Approval
(1) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Reporting on Payment Practices and Performance (Amendment) Regulations 2024, which were laid before this House on 10 January, be approved.—(Suzanne Webb.)
Question agreed to.
(2) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft National Minimum Wage (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2024, which were laid before this House on 31 January, be approved.—(Suzanne Webb.)
Question agreed to.
(3) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Strategy and Policy Statement for Energy Policy in Great Britain, which was laid before this House on 21 February, be approved.—(Suzanne Webb.)
Question agreed to.
(4) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Fair Dealing Obligations (Milk) Regulations 2024, which were laid before this House on 1 March, be approved.—(Suzanne Webb.)
Question agreed to.
(5) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6) and Order, 5 March), That this House authorises the Secretary of State to undertake to pay, and to pay by way of financial assistance under section 8 of the Industrial Development Act 1982, a grant or grants exceeding £30 million and up to a total of £75 million to BMW to support the production of electric Minis at Plant Oxford.—(Suzanne Webb.)
Question agreed to.
(1) A public petition from residents of the constituency of Rother Valley relating to traffic congestion and road safety in Rother Valley was presented and read by Alexander Stafford.
(2) A public petition from residents of the constituency of Linlithgow and East Falkirk relating to recommendations of the Infected Blood Inquiry was presented and read by Martyn Day.
(3) A public petition from residents of the constituency of Linlithgow and East Falkirk relating to Pensioners' Personal Tax Allowance was presented and read by Martyn Day.
Subject: Music education (Sir Michael Ellis)
Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Suzanne Webb.)
Adjourned at 6.52 pm until tomorrow.
Other Proceedings
Lords Messages
10Supply and Appropriation (Anticipation and Adjustments) Bill
The Lords agree to the Supply and Appropriation (Anticipation and Adjustments) Bill without amendment.
11National Insurance Contributions (Reduction in Rates) (No. 2) Bill
The Lords agree to the National Insurance Contributions (Reduction in Rates) (No. 2) Bill without amendment.
Changes to Notices Given
12Scottish Law Officers (Devolution) Bill
Order for Second Reading on Friday 22 March, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 7 June.
13Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity (Ratification of Treaty) Bill
Order for Second Reading on Friday 22 March, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 19 April.
General Committees: Reports
14Automated Vehicles Bill [Lords] Committee
Sir George Howarth (Chair) reported:
(1) That the Committee had come to the following Resolution, That, subject to the discretion of the Chair, any written evidence received by the Committee shall be reported to the House for publication;
(2) written evidence submitted to the Committee; and
(3) the Bill, as amended.
Written evidence to be published.
Bill, as amended, to be considered tomorrow; and to be printed (Bill 190).
15Fourth Delegated Legislation Committee
James Gray (Chair) reported the draft Fair Dealing Obligations (Milk) Regulations 2024.
16Fifth Delegated Legislation Committee
Christina Rees (Chair) reported the draft Strategy and Policy Statement for Energy Policy in Great Britain.
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).
17Fifth Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Strategy and Policy Statement for Energy Policy in Great Britain)
Members: Rob Butler discharged and James Sunderland nominated in substitution.
Select Committees: Reports
18Backbench Business Committee
Transcript of representations made on Tuesday 19 March, to be published (Bob Blackman).
19Business and Trade Committee
(1) Export-led growth: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 289);
(2) Correspondence from the Minister for Trade Policy relating to Israel trade negotiations: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Correspondence from the Secretary of State: Written evidence, to be published;
(4) Correspondence with the Insolvency Service relating to administration of The Body Shop: Written evidence, to be published;
(5) Post Office and Horizon – Compensation: follow-up: Written evidence, to be published (HC 477)
(Liam Byrne).
20Culture, Media and Sport Committee
(1) British film and high-end television: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 157);
(2) Cricket follow-up: Written evidence, to be published (HC 526);
(3) Grassroots music venues: Written evidence, to be published (HC 527);
(4) Women’s sport: Written evidence, to be published (HC 177)
(Dame Caroline Dinenage).
(1) Developing AI capacity and expertise in UK defence: Oral evidence taken before the Sub-Committee, to be published (HC 429);
(2) Correspondence from the Minister for Defence Procurement, relating to F-35 update: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Correspondence from the Permanent Secretary, relating to Annual Report and Accounts 2022–23: Written evidence, to be published (HC 54)
(Sir Jeremy Quin).
(1) Impact of industrial action on university students: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 327);
(2) Financial education: Written evidence, to be published (HC 265)
(Mr Robin Walker).
23Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
(1) Soil Health: Government Response to the Committee's First Report: Second Special Report, to be printed (HC 649);
(2) Fairness in the food supply chain: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 160);
(3) Correspondence from the Animal Sentience Committee relating to bovine identification, registration and movement: Written evidence, to be published;
(4) Correspondence from Sir John Armitt, Chair, National Infrastructure Commission, relating to flooding: Written evidence, to be published;
(5) Flooding: Written evidence, to be published (HC 546);
(6) UK trade policy: food and agriculture: Written evidence, to be published (HC 162);
(7) Vet shortages: Written evidence, to be published (HC 497)
(Sir Robert Goodwill).
24European Statutory Instruments Committee
Second Report, to be printed, with the formal minutes relating to the Report (HC 626) (Andrew Jones).
(1) Tilting horizons: the Integrated Review and the Indo-Pacific: Government Response to the Committee's Eighth Report of Session 2022–23: Fourth Special Report, to be printed (HC 630);
(2) Western Balkans: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 641);
(3) Work of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office: Written evidence, to be published (HC 325);
(4) Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Supplementary Estimate Memorandum 2023–24: Written evidence, to be published
(Alicia Kearns).
26Health and Social Care Committee
(1) Expert Panel Report on Evaluation of the Government’s progress on meeting patient safety recommendations:
(i) Second Special Report, to be printed (HC 362);
(ii) Written evidence, to be published (HC 362);
(2) NHS dentistry: Follow-up: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 602);
(3) Correspondence from the Minister of State for Health and Secondary Care relating to the independent review into equity in medical devices: Written evidence, to be published;
(4) Men’s health: Written evidence, to be published (HC 139);
(5) Prevention in health and social care: Written evidence, to be published (HC 141)
(Steve Brine).
(1) The Coroner Service: follow-up: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 490);
(2) Correspondence from the Minister for Courts and Legal Services and the Minister for Enterprise, Markets and Small Business relating to the Post Office (Horizon System) Offences Bill: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Correspondence from the Secretary of State relating to the legal aid means test review: Written evidence, to be published;
(4) Probate: Written evidence, to be published (HC 520);
(5) Regulation of the legal professions: Written evidence, to be published (HC 266);
(6) Work of the Lady Chief Justice: Written evidence, to be published (HC 466)
(Sir Robert Neill).
Scrutiny of strategic thinking in Government: Oral and written evidence taken before the Sub-Committee, to be published (HC 31) (Sir Bernard Jenkin)
(1) Record of the Committee’s decisions relating to e-petitions, to be published;
(2) List of closed e-petitions presented to the House, to be published
(Cat Smith).
30Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee
(1) Cabinet Office: Civil Superannuation Supplementary Estimate Memorandum 2023–24: Written evidence, to be published;
(2) Cabinet Office: Royal Mail Statutory Pension Scheme Supplementary Estimate Memorandum 2023–24: Written evidence, to be published
(Mr William Wragg).
1) Correspondence from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport relating to Motor Vehicles (Driving Licenses) (Amendment) Regulations 2024: Written evidence, to be published;
2) HS2: progress update: Written evidence, to be published (HC 85);
3) Volumetric concrete mixers: Written evidence, to be published (HC 643)
(Iain Stewart)
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))
Resolved, That this House has considered tutoring provision.—(Munira Wilson.)
The sitting was suspended between 10.47 am and 11 am.
Resolved, That this House has considered UK food security.—(Sarah Dyke.)
The sitting was suspended between 11.29 am and 2.30 pm (Standing Order No. 10(1)(b)).
3International support for Armenian refugees from Nagorno-Karabakh
Resolved, That this House has considered international support for Armenian refugees from Nagorno-Karabakh.—(Carol Monaghan.)
4Baby loss and the role of coroners
Resolved, That this House has considered baby loss and the role of coroners.—(Tim Loughton.)
5Child Trust Fund access for people seeking to manage the finances of others
Motion made and Question proposed, That this House has considered Child Trust Fund access for people seeking to manage the finances of others.—(Sir Jeremy Quin.)
The sitting was suspended between 4.56 pm and 5.41 pm for divisions in the House (Standing Order No. 10(3)).
Resolved, That this House has considered Child Trust Fund access for people seeking to manage the finances of others.
Sitting adjourned without Question put (Standing Order No. 10(14)).
Adjourned at 6.12 pm until tomorrow.
Eleanor Laing
Chairman of Ways and Means
Papers Laid
Papers subject to Negative Resolution
6Universities of Oxford and Cambridge
Statute, dated 11 January 2024, made by the Governing Body of Clare Hall in the University of Cambridge, amending the existing Statutes of the College (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Gillian Keegan)
Papers laid pursuant to the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Act 2023
1Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform)
(1) Proposal for an instrument titled Health Claims (Revocation) Regulations 2024, with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Act) (Andrea Leadsom)
(2) Proposal for an instrument titled Weights and Measures (Intoxicating Liquor) (Amendment) Regulations 2024, with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Act) (Kevin Hollinrake)
Other papers
Government Response to the Public Inquiry into Brook House Immigration Removal Centre (by Command) (CP 1041) (Secretary James Cleverly)
3Parliamentary Buildings (Restoration and Renewal)
Report of the Joint Committee on the Restoration and Renewal Client Board: Strategic Case (by Act), to be printed (HC 621) (The Speaker)
Report and Accounts of the Housing Ombudsman for 2022–23, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (by Act), to be printed (HC 627) (Secretary Michael Gove)
Sovereign Grant Act 2011: Report of the Royal Trustees on the Sovereign Grant 2024–25 (by Act) (The Chancellor of the Exchequer)