Contents
Chamber business
The House met at 11.30 am.
Prayers
1Questions to (1) the Secretary of State for Scotland
(2) the Prime Minister
2Urgent Question: Chair of the Competition and Markets Authority (Justin Madders)
3Statement: Russian maritime activity and UK response (Secretary John Healey)
4Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill: Presentation (Standing Order No. 57)
Secretary Liz Kendall, supported by the Prime Minister, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Pat McFadden, Secretary Jonathan Reynolds and Georgia Gould, presented a Bill to make provision about the prevention of fraud against public authorities and the making of erroneous payments by public authorities; about the recovery of money paid by public authorities as a result of fraud or error; and for connected purposes.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time tomorrow, and to be printed (Bill 167) with Explanatory Notes (Bill 167–EN).
5Consular Assistance (Journalists) Bill: Presentation (Standing Order No. 57)
Blair McDougall, supported by Mr Alex Barros-Curtis, Rachel Blake, Mr Connor Rand, Alex Sobel, Mr Alistair Carmichael, Phil Brickell, Chris Law, Sir Iain Duncan Smith, Tom Tugendhat and Ms Marie Rimmer, presented a Bill to make provision for a right to consular assistance for British journalists abroad who have been detained or held hostage; and for connected purposes.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 7 March, and to be printed (Bill 168).
6Elections (accessibility for blind voters): Motion for leave to bring in a Bill (Standing Order No. 23)
Ordered, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to require the provision of audio and tactile measures at polling stations for the purpose of enabling blind voters to vote independently and in secret; to require the Secretary of State to take steps to identify, develop and implement new accessible voting solutions for blind voters; to require the Secretary of State to undertake a review of the arrangements for postal voting in respect of accessibility for blind voters and to implement any recommendations of that review; and for connected purposes;
That Ms Julie Minns, Steve Darling, Jim Shannon, Mims Davies, Neil Duncan-Jordan, Paul Davies, Liam Conlon, Katrina Murray, Irene Campbell, James Naish, Lee Pitcher and Deirdre Costigan present the Bill.
Ms Julie Minns accordingly presented the Bill.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 28 March, and to be printed (Bill 166).
7Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill: Money
King's Recommendation signified.
Motion made and Question proposed, That, for the purposes of any Act resulting from the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, it is expedient to authorise the payment out of money provided by Parliament of:
(1) any expenditure incurred under or by virtue of the Act by the Secretary of State, and
(2) any increase attributable to the Act in the sums payable under or by virtue of any other Act out of money so provided.—(Stephen Kinnock.)
The Deputy Speaker announced a time limit on backbench speeches (Standing Order No. 47(1)).
Question put and agreed to.
8Bank Resolution (Recapitalisation) Bill [Lords]: Second Reading
Bill read a second time.
9Bank Resolution (Recapitalisation) Bill [Lords]: Programme
Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 83A(7)), That the following provisions shall apply to the Bank Resolution (Recapitalisation) 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 13 February 2025.
(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 proceedings on Consideration 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.—(Gen Kitchen.)
Question agreed to.
10Bank Resolution (Recapitalisation) 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 Bank Resolution (Recapitalisation) Bill [Lords], it is expedient to authorise the payment out of the National Loans Fund of any sums payable out of the Fund by virtue of the Act.—(Emma Reynolds.)
Question agreed to.
11Bank Resolution (Recapitalisation) 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 Bank Resolution (Recapitalisation) Bill [Lords], it is expedient to authorise the imposition of charges for the purpose of meeting expenses incurred by the scheme manager of the Financial Services Compensation Scheme in connection with the recapitalisation of a financial institution.—(Emma Reynolds.)
Question agreed to.
12Statutory Instruments: Motions for Approval
(1) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Devon and Torbay Combined County Authority Regulations 2024, which were laid before this House on 26 November 2024, be approved.—(Gen Kitchen.)
Question agreed to.
(2) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Greater Lincolnshire Combined County Authority Regulations 2025, which were laid before this House on 11 December 2024, be approved.—(Gen Kitchen.)
Question agreed to.
(3) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Hull and East Yorkshire Combined Authority Order 2025, which was laid before this House on 4 December 2024, be approved.—(Gen Kitchen.)
Question agreed to.
(4) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Lancashire Combined County Authority Regulations 2024, which were laid before this House on 26 November 2024, be approved.—(Gen Kitchen.)
Question agreed to.
Subject: Access to public services in rural areas (David Smith)
Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Gen Kitchen.)
Adjourned at 4.48 pm until tomorrow.
Other Proceedings
Explanatory Notes to Bills
14Covid-19 Vaccine Damage Payments Bill
Explanatory Notes to the Bill to be printed (Bill 87–EN).
Private Business
15City of London (Markets) Bill: First Reading
Bill to make provision for the repeal of legislation relating to Billingsgate Market and the London Central Markets; and for connected purposes.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time.
Changes to Notices Given
16Domestic Abuse (Aggravated Offences) Bill
Order for Second Reading on Friday 24 January, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 14 March.
17Mobile Homes Act 1983 (Amendment) Bill
Order for Second Reading on Friday 24 January, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 7 March.
General Committees: Reports
18Third Delegated Legislation Committee
Derek Twigg (Chair) reported the draft Heat Networks (Market Framework) (Great Britain) Regulations 2025.
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).
19Finance Bill (except Clauses 7 to 12, Schedules 1 and 2, Clauses 15 to 18, Schedule 3 and Clauses 47 to 53) Committee
Members: Alex Ballinger, Rachel Blake, Nesil Caliskan, Harriet Cross, Gareth Davies, Mr Paul Kohler, Mr Angus MacDonald, James Murray, Tristan Osborne, Gregor Poynton, Emma Reynolds, Oliver Ryan, Blake Stephenson, Alistair Strathern, Christian Wakeford, James Wild and Yuan Yang
20First Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) Order 2025)
Members: Mr Calvin Bailey, Olivia Blake, Tim Farron, Catherine Fookes, Pippa Heylings, Natasha Irons, Noah Law, Kerry McCarthy, Chris McDonald, Ben Obese-Jecty, Tim Roca, Alison Taylor, Bradley Thomas, Nick Timothy, Anna Turley, Paul Waugh and Mike Wood
21Second Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Airports Slot Allocation (Alleviation of Usage Requirements etc.) Regulations 2025)
Members: Dr Scott Arthur, Gareth Bacon, Ms Stella Creasy, Josh Dean, Kate Dearden, Maya Ellis, Anna Gelderd, Olly Glover, Sojan Joseph, Mike Kane, Mr Paul Kohler, Ms Julie Minns, Luke Murphy, Shivani Raja, Greg Smith, Robin Swann and Steve Witherden
22Third Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Armed Forces (Court Martial) (Amendment No. 2) Rules 2024)
Members: Danny Beales, Al Carns, Wendy Chamberlain, Bambos Charalambous, Peter Fortune, Mr Mark Francois, Paul Holmes, Rachel Hopkins, Adam Jogee, Kim Johnson, Gen Kitchen, Dr Simon Opher, Yasmin Qureshi, David Reed, Will Stone, Peter Swallow and Martin Wrigley
23Fourth Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Gambling Act 2005 (Operating Licence Conditions) (Amendment) Regulations 2024 and draft Gambling Levy Regulations 2025)
Members: Alex Brewer, Graeme Downie, Vicky Foxcroft, Mr Louie French, Mr Richard Holden, Patrick Hurley, Andy MacNae, Anneliese Midgley, Wendy Morton, Matthew Patrick, Stephanie Peacock, Joani Reid, Bell Ribeiro-Addy, Joe Robertson, Baggy Shanker, Elaine Stewart and Cameron Thomas
24Fifth Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Register of Overseas Entities (Protection and Trusts) (Amendment) Regulations 2025)
Members: Jess Asato, Julia Buckley, Daisy Cooper, Alison Griffiths, Sir John Hayes, Claire Hughes, Clive Jones, Lola McEvoy, Alex McIntyre, Anna McMorrin, Justin Madders, Chris Murray, Connor Naismith, Melanie Onn, Andrew Ranger, Greg Smith and Rebecca Smith
25Sixth Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Separation of Waste (England) Regulations 2025)
Members: Paula Barker, Aphra Brandreth, Dawn Butler, Dan Carden, Mary Creagh, Charlie Dewhirst, Chris Evans, Tim Farron, Sir Ashley Fox, Fabian Hamilton, Mrs Sharon Hodgson, Dr Neil Hudson, Charlie Maynard, Kanishka Narayan, Jeff Smith, Nick Smith and Jon Trickett
Select Committees: Reports
26Energy Security and Net Zero Committee
(1) Work of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 396);
(2) Correspondence from the Department: Written evidence, to be published
(Bill Esterson).
27Environmental Audit Committee
(1) Flood resilience in England: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 550);
(2) Correspondence with the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero relating to enabling sustainable electrification of the economy: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Environmental sustainability and housing growth: Written evidence, to be published (HC 439);
(4) The UK and the Antarctic environment: Written evidence, to be published (HC 499)
(Mr Toby Perkins).
28Health and Social Care Committee
(1) Progress in preventing cardiovascular disease: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 561);
(2) Adult social care reform: The cost of inaction: Written evidence, to be published (HC 368)
(Layla Moran).
29Human Rights (Joint Committee on)
* This item has been corrected since publication. See the Votes and Proceedings relating to Monday 3 March 2025.
(1) Forced labour in UK supply chains: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 633);
(2) Correspondence with the Home Secretary relating to missing children: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Northern Ireland Legacy Remedial Order: Written evidence, to be published (HC 569)
(Sir Desmond Swayne).
30Northern Ireland Affairs Committee
(1) Funding and delivery of public services: Follow up: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 477);
(2) Correspondence with HM Treasury relating to an invitation to give evidence to the Northern Ireland Affairs Select Committee: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Correspondence with Modernisation Committee relating to the operation of the ballot for oral questions to the Northern Ireland Office: Written evidence, to be published
(Tonia Antoniazzi).
31Public Accounts (Committee of)
Correspondence with the Chief Executive and First Permanent Secretary of HM Revenue and Customs relating to the Committee's Third Report: Written evidence, to be published (Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown).
(1) GB Energy and the net zero transition: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 459);
(2) The financing of the Scottish Government: Written evidence, to be published (HC 456)
(Patricia Ferguson).
33Statutory Instruments (Joint Committee on)
Twelfth Report, to be printed, with the formal minutes relating to the Report (HC 291-xii) (Sir Bernard Jenkin).
Shadow Great British Railways: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 554) (Ruth Cadbury).
(1) Cross-border healthcare: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 606);
(2) HMP Parc: Written evidence, to be published (HC 513)
(Ruth Jones).
36Women and Equalities Committee
(1) Evidence base on the safety and effectiveness of puberty blockers: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 503);
(2) Tackling non-consensual intimate image abuse: Written evidence, to be published (HC 336)
(Sarah Owen).
(1) Pensioner poverty: Challenges and mitigations: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 465);
(2) Safeguarding vulnerable claimants: Written evidence, to be published (HC 402)
(Debbie Abrahams).
Sir 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))
1Listed Places of Worship Scheme
Motion made and Question proposed, That this House has considered the Listed Places of Worship Scheme.—(Bradley Thomas.)
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)).
At 11 am, the Motion lapsed (Standing Order No. 10(6)).
2Presumption of parental involvement in child arrangements
Motion made and Question proposed, That this House has considered the presumption of parental involvement in child arrangements.—(Dr Marie Tidball.)
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)).
3Government support for education, health and care plans
Motion made and Question proposed, That this House has considered Government support for education, health and care plans.—(Marie Goldman.)
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 Government support for education, health and care plans.
Resolved, That this House has considered the New Hospital Programme.—(Dr Kieran Mullan.)
5Potential merits of Government support for a certificate of common sponsorship
Resolved, That this House has considered the potential merits of Government support for a certificate of common sponsorship.—(Neil Duncan-Jordan.)
Sitting adjourned without Question put (Standing Order No. 10(14)).
Adjourned at 5.29 pm until tomorrow.
Ms Nusrat Ghani
Chairman of Ways and Means
Papers Laid
Papers subject to Negative Resolution
Agreement, done at Canberra on 21 March 2024, between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of Australia for Defence and Security Cooperation (by Command) (CP 1256), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Act) (Secretary David Lammy)
Other papers
2Budget Responsibility and National Audit
Charter for Budget Responsibility: Autumn 2024 (by Act) (The Chancellor of the Exchequer)
Report by the Domestic Abuse Commissioner on Shifting the scales: Transforming the criminal justice response to domestic abuse (by Act) (Clerk of the House)
Memorandum to the Home Affairs Committee on Post-legislative scrutiny of the Counter-Terrorism and Border Security Act 2019 (by Command) (CP 1249) (Secretary Yvette Cooper)
Report by the Comptroller and Auditor General on HM Revenue and Customs: Administration of Welsh rates of income tax 2023–24 (by Act), to be printed (HC 542) (Clerk of the House)