Contents
Chamber business
The House met at 11.30 am.
Prayers
1Questions to (1) the Minister for Women and Equalities
(2) the Prime Minister
2Urgent Question: Chagos Islands (Stephen Doughty)
3Statement: Future of the Post Office (Gareth Thomas)
4Non-Domestic Rating (Multipliers and Private Schools) Bill: Presentation (Standing Order No. 57)
Secretary Angela Rayner, supported by the Prime Minister, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Secretary Bridget Phillipson, Catherine McKinnell, Jim McMahon, Stephen Morgan and James Murray, presented a Bill to make provision for, and in connection with, the introduction of higher non-domestic rating multipliers as regards large business hereditaments, and lower non-domestic rating multipliers as regards retail, hospitality and leisure hereditaments, in England and for the removal of charitable relief from non-domestic rates for private schools in England.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time tomorrow, and to be printed (Bill 129) with Explanatory Notes (Bill 129–EN).
5National Insurance Contributions (Secondary Class 1 Contributions) Bill: Presentation (Standing Order No. 57)
The Chancellor of the Exchequer, supported by the Prime Minister, Darren Jones, James Murray, Tulip Siddiq and Emma Reynolds, presented a Bill to make provision about secondary Class 1 contributions.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time tomorrow, and to be printed (Bill 131) with Explanatory Notes (Bill 131–EN).
6Debt relief (developing countries): 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 for or in connection with the relief of debts of certain developing countries;
That Bambos Charalambous, Sarah Champion, Alice Macdonald, Sam Rushworth, David Taylor, Laura Kyrke-Smith, Gordon McKee, Chris Law, Ellie Chowns, Liz Saville Roberts, Tonia Antoniazzi and Jo Platt present the Bill.
Bambos Charalambous accordingly presented the Bill.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 14 March 2025, and to be printed (Bill 128).
Motion made and Question proposed, That the draft Voter Identification (Amendment of List of Specified Documents) Regulations 2024, which were laid before this House on 15 October, be approved.—(Rushanara Ali.)
The Deputy Speaker announced the result of the Division which had been deferred to this day (Standing Order No. 41A).
Exiting the European Union
That the draft Windsor Framework (Non-Commercial Movement of Pet Animals) Regulations 2024, which were laid before this House on 10 October, be approved.
Division No. 43
Ayes: 412
Noes: 16
Question agreed to.
9Representation of the People (resumed)
The House resumed the debate.
Question put and agreed to.
Resolved, That the draft Voter Identification (Amendment of List of Specified Documents) Regulations 2024, which were laid before this House on 15 October, be approved.
Resolved, That the draft Environmental Protection (Single-use Vapes) (England) Regulations 2024, which were laid before this House on 23 October, be approved.—(Mary Creagh.)
11Business of the House (Today)
Ordered, That, at this day’s sitting, notwithstanding the provisions of Standing Order No. 16(1) (Proceedings under an Act or on European Union documents), proceedings on the Motions in the name of Secretary Jonathan Reynolds relating to Export and Investment Guarantees shall be brought to a conclusion not later than 90 minutes after the commencement of proceedings on the Motion for this Order; the Speaker shall then put the Questions necessary to dispose of proceedings on those Motions; and Standing Order No. 41A (Deferred divisions) shall not apply.—(Lucy Powell.)
12Export and Investment Guarantees
(1) Resolved, That the draft Export and Investment Guarantees (Limit on Exports and Insurance Commitments) Order 2024, which was laid before this House on 14 October, be approved.—(Gareth Thomas.)
(2) Resolved, That the draft Export and Investment Guarantees (Limit on Exports and Insurance Commitments) (No. 2) Order 2024, which was laid before this House on 14 October, be approved.—(Martin McCluskey.)
(3) Resolved, That the draft Export and Investment Guarantees (Limit on Exports and Insurance Commitments) (No. 3) Order 2024, which was laid before this House on 14 October, be approved.—(Martin McCluskey.)
Resolved, That this House agrees that the UK Youth Parliament shall be allowed to meet in the Chamber twice in 2025 and then once a year for the remainder of this Parliament.—(Lucy Powell.)
14Statutory Instruments: Motions for Approval
(1) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (Further Payments to Capital Stock) Order 2024, which was laid before this House on 7 October, be approved.—(Martin McCluskey.)
Question agreed to.
(2) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Radio Equipment (Amendment) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2024, which were laid before this House on 9 October, be approved.—(Martin McCluskey.)
Question agreed to.
15Changes to membership of select committees
(1) Ordered, That Jess Brown-Fuller be a member of the Backbench Business Committee.—(Jessica Morden, on behalf of the Committee of Selection.)
(2) Ordered, That Mike Martin and Edward Morello be members of the Joint Committee on the National Security Strategy.—(Jessica Morden, on behalf of the Committee of Selection.)
(3) Ordered, That Alex Ballinger, Juliet Campbell, Afzal Khan and Alex Sobel be members of the Joint Committee on Human Rights.—(Jessica Morden, on behalf of the Committee of Selection.)
A public petition from residents of the United Kingdom relating to school transport in North Yorkshire was presented and read by Tom Gordon.
Subject: Infant formula regulations (Chris Webb)
Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Martin McCluskey.)
Adjourned at 5.53 pm until tomorrow.
Other Proceedings
Lords Messages
18Bank Resolution (Recapitalisation) Bill [Lords]
The Lords have passed a Bill to make provision about recapitalisation costs in relation to the special resolution regime under the Banking Act 2009, to which they desire the agreement of the Commons.
First Reading and Printing of Lords Bills
19Bank Resolution (Recapitalisation) Bill [Lords]
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time tomorrow, and to be printed (Bill 132) with Explanatory Notes (Bill 132–EN).
General Committees: Reports
20Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and International Committee of the Red Cross (Status) Bill [Lords] Committee
Martin Vickers (Chair) reported:
(1) written evidence submitted to the Committee; and
(2) the Bill as amended.
Written evidence to be published.
Bill, as amended, to be considered tomorrow; and to be printed (Bill 130).
21Third Delegated Legislation Committee
Clive Efford (Chair) reported the draft Criminal Finances Act 2017 and Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2024.
22Fourth Delegated Legislation Committee
Valerie Vaz (Chair) reported the draft Loan Loans (Increase of Limit) Order 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).
23Employment Rights Bill Committee
Members: Mr Peter Bedford, Sarah Gibson, Dame Nia Griffith, Alison Hume, Clive Jones, Preet Kaur Gill, Uma Kumaran, Chris Law, Alex McIntyre, Gordon McKee, Anna McMorrin, Justin Madders, Anneliese Midgley, Jon Pearce, Greg Smith, Dr Marie Tidball, Nick Timothy, Laurence Turner, Michael Wheeler and James Wild
24First Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Collective Investment Schemes (Temporary Recognition) and Central Counterparties (Transitional Provision) (Amendment) Regulations 2024 and draft Insurance Distribution (Regulated Activities and Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2024)
Members: Dan Aldridge, Mrs Sureena Brackenridge, Daisy Cooper, Dr Allison Gardner, Mark Garnier, Sarah Gibson, Katie Lam, Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck, Dame Siobhain McDonagh, Joe Morris, Naz Shah, Tulip Siddiq, Rebecca Smith, Christian Wakeford, Imogen Walker, Matt Western and James Wild
25Second Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Terrorism Act 2000 (Alterations to the Search Powers Code for Northern Ireland) Order 2024)
Members: Fleur Anderson, Alex Baker, Mr Peter Bedford, Aphra Brandreth, Alex Burghart, Torcuil Crichton, Josh Fenton-Glynn, Claire Hughes, Blair McDougall, Samantha Niblett, Dan Norris, Dr Al Pinkerton, Matt Rodda, Lisa Smart, Jeff Smith, Mike Wood and Sean Woodcock
26Third Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Communications Act 2003 (Disclosure of Information) Order 2024)
Members: Callum Anderson, Ms Polly Billington, Chris Bryant, Dawn Butler, Victoria Collins, Anna Dixon, Alison Griffiths, Paul Holmes, Liz Jarvis, Lincoln Jopp, Noah Law, Luke Murphy, Taiwo Owatemi, Dr Ben Spencer, Paul Waugh, Nadia Whittome and Mohammad Yasin
27Fourth Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Bail and Release from Custody (Scotland) Act 2023 (Consequential Modifications) Order 2024)
Members: Jack Abbott, Tahir Ali, Andrew Bowie, John Cooper, Harriet Cross, Kate Dearden, Kirith Entwistle, Christine Jardine, Jayne Kirkham, Martin McCluskey, Jerome Mayhew, James Naish, Charlotte Nichols, Matthew Patrick, Sam Rushworth, Jamie Stone and Melanie Ward
28Fifth Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Judicial Pensions (Amendment) Regulations 2024)
Members: Heidi Alexander, Josh Babarinde, Rachel Blake, Maya Ellis, Dr Luke Evans, Linsey Farnsworth, Patrick Hurley, Natasha Irons, Sally Jameson, Kim Johnson, Warinder Juss, Keir Mather, Dr Kieran Mullan, Steve Race, Dr Neil Shastri-Hurst, Lisa Smart and Mr Andrew Snowden
29Sixth Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992 (Amendment of Schedule A2) Order 2024)
Members: Chris Bloore, Daisy Cooper, Ms Stella Creasy, Charlie Dewhirst, Damien Egan, Gill Furniss, Tom Hayes, Clive Jones, Preet Kaur Gill, Andy McDonald, Anna McMorrin, Justin Madders, Josh Newbury, Melanie Onn, Shivani Raja, Greg Smith and Graham Stuart
Select Committees: Reports
30
Correspondence with the Secretary of State: Written evidence, to be published (Dame Caroline Dinenage).Culture, Media and Sport Committee
31Environmental Audit Committee
Correspondence with the Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury relating to the Government consultation on a carbon border adjustment mechanism: Written evidence, to be published (Mr Toby Perkins).
32Health and Social Care Committee
(1) Correspondence from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Patient Safety, Women’s Health and Mental Health relating to the Mental Health Bill: Written evidence, to be published;
(2) Correspondence from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Public Health and Prevention relating to the Food Standard Agency Chair Appointment: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Correspondence from the Secretary of State relating to the Tobacco and Vapes Bill: Written evidence, to be published;
(4) Correspondence with the Secretary of State relating to the Autumn Budget: Written evidence, to be published;
(5) Correspondence with the Secretary of State relating to the New Hospital Programme: Written evidence, to be published;
(6) Department of Health and Social Care 2024-25 Main Estimate Memorandum: Written evidence, to be published
(Layla Moran).
33Northern Ireland Affairs Committee
* This item has been corrected since publication. See the Votes and Proceedings relating to Wednesday 4 December 2024.
(1) The funding and delivery of public services in Northern Ireland: Government Response: First Special Report, to be printed (HC 413);
(2) Northern Ireland Office 2024–25 Main Estimate Memorandum: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Renewable energy and net zero in Northern Ireland: Written evidence, to be published (HC 428)
(Tonia Antoniazzi).
34Statutory Instruments (Joint Committee on)
Fifth Report, to be printed, with the formal minutes relating to the Report (HC 291-v) (Sir Bernard Jenkin).
Work of the Secretary of State for Transport: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 346) (Ruth Cadbury).
(1) Correspondence from NFU Cymru: Written evidence, to be published;
(2) Wales Office 2024–25 Main Estimate Memorandum: Written evidence, to be published
(Ruth Jones).
37Women and Equalities Committee
Women’s reproductive health conditions: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 337) (Sarah Owen).
(1) The work of the Department for Work and Pensions: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 344);
(2) Correspondence from the Minister of State for Social Security and Disability: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Correspondence from the Secretary of State: Written evidence, to be published
(Debbie Abrahams).
Westminster Hall
The sitting began at 9.30 am.
Business appointed by the Chairman of Ways and Means (Standing Order No. 10(6))
1Police use of live facial recognition technology
Motion made and Question proposed, That this House has considered police use of live facial recognition technology.—(Sir John Whittingdale.)
At 11 am, the Motion lapsed (Standing Order No. 10(6)).
Motion made and Question proposed, That this House has considered broadband in rural areas.—(Sarah Dyke.)
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)).
3Tackling barriers to educational opportunities
Motion made and Question proposed, That this House has considered the matter of tackling barriers to educational opportunities.—(Tony Vaughan.)
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 the matter of tackling barriers to educational opportunities.
4Government support for kinship carers
Resolved, That this House has considered Government support for kinship carers.—(Alistair Strathern.)
5Eligibility for family and work visas
Motion made and Question proposed, That this House has considered eligibility for family and work visas.—(Claire Hanna.)
At 5.30 pm, the Motion lapsed (Standing Order No. 10(14)).
Sitting adjourned without Question put (Standing Order No. 10(14)).
Adjourned at 5.30 pm until tomorrow.
Ms Nusrat Ghani
Chairman of Ways and Means
Papers Laid
Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution
Draft Home Detention Curfew and Requisite and Minimum Custodial Periods (Amendment) Order 2024 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum and an Impact Assessment (by Command) (Secretary Shabana Mahmood)
Papers subject to Negative Resolution
Agreement, done at Brasilia on 10 April 2024, between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of the Federative Republic of Brazil concerning Air Services (by Command), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Act) (Secretary David Lammy)
Penalties for Failure to Pay Tax (Schedule 26 to the Finance Act 2021) (Assessments) Regulations 2024 (SI, 2024, No. 1153), dated 12 November 2024 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (James Murray)
Dangerous Dogs (Exemption Schemes) (England and Wales) (Amendment) (No. 2) Order 2024 (SI, 2024, No. 1149), dated 12 November 2024 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Steve Reed)
Draft Core Fuel Sanctions Guidance under section 286 of the Energy Act 2023 (by Act) (Secretary Ed Miliband)
6Health Care and Associated Professions
General Medical Council (Miscellaneous Amendments) Order of Council 2024 (SI, 2024, No. 1133), dated 7 November 2024 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Wes Streeting)
Agreement, done at London on 22 January 2024, between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of the Republic of Moldova concerning Air Services (by Command), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Act) (Secretary David Lammy)
Agreement, done at Ulaanbaatar on 23 January 2024, between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of Mongolia concerning Air Services (by Command), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Act) (Secretary David Lammy)
(1) Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (External Investigations and External Orders and Requests) (Amendment) Order 2024 (SI, 2024, No. 1127), dated 6 November 2024 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Yvette Cooper)
(2) Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (Investigations in different parts of the United Kingdom) (Amendment) Order 2024 (SI, 2024, No. 1123), dated 6 November 2024 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Yvette Cooper)
10Representation of the People
Representation of the People (Variation of Limits of Candidates’ Election Expenses) (City of London) Order 2024 (SI, 2024, No. 1147), dated 12 November 2024 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Rushanara Ali)
Copyright and Performances (Application to Other Countries) (Amendment) (No. 2) Order 2024 (SI, 2024, No. 1124), dated 6 November 2024 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Peter Kyle)
Agreement, done at Dushanbe on 22 April 2024, between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan concerning Air Services (by Command), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Act) (Secretary David Lammy)
Other papers
Explanatory Memorandum to the draft Silicon Valley Bank UK Limited Compensation Scheme Order 2024 (by Command) (Tulip Siddiq)
14Caribbean and North Atlantic Territories
Turks and Caicos Islands Constitution (Amendment) Order 2024, dated 6 November 2024 (SI, 2024, No. 1128) (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary David Lammy)
15Energy Security and Net Zero
Department for Energy Security and Net Zero Minute, dated 13 November 2024, concerning the notification of contingent liabilities relating to Carbon Capture, Usage and Storage Track-1 clusters (by Command) (Sarah Jones)
Office for Environmental Protection: A review of implementation of the Bathing Water Regulations in England (by Act) (Clerk of the House)
Report by the Comptroller and Auditor General on Home Office: Investigation into the acquisition of the Northeye site for asylum accommodation (by Act), to be printed (HC 305) (Clerk of the House)
Report and Accounts of sportscotland National Lottery Distribution Fund for the year ended 31 March 2024 (by Act), to be printed (HC 280) (Secretary Ian Murray)
Explanatory Memorandum to the draft Aviation Safety (Amendment) Regulations 2024 (by Command) (Secretary Louise Haigh)
The Occupational Impact of COVID-19 in the Transport and Education Sectors (by Command) (CP 1189) (Secretary Liz Kendall)
Withdrawn papers
Explanatory Memorandum to the draft Silicon Valley Bank UK Limited Compensation Scheme Order 2024 (laid 6 November)
Explanatory Memorandum to the draft Aviation Safety (Amendment) Regulations 2024 (laid 23 October)