Contents
Chamber business
The House met at 11.30 am.
The House having been informed on Monday 31 March of the unavoidable absence of the Speaker, Ms Nusrat Ghani, the Chairman of Ways and Means, proceeded to the Table.
Prayers
Ms Nusrat Ghani, the Chairman of Ways and Means, took the Chair as Deputy Speaker (Standing Order No. 3).
3Questions to the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs
4Urgent Questions: (1) NHS pensions (Karin Smyth)
(2) Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund (Janet Daby)
5Statements: (1) Sentencing Council guidelines (Secretary Shabana Mahmood)
(2) Implementation of the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme (Dan Jarvis)
6Sentencing Guidelines (Pre-sentence Reports) Bill: Presentation (Standing Order No. 57)
Secretary Shabana Mahmood, supported by the Prime Minister, Secretary Angela Rayner, Secretary Yvette Cooper and Secretary Peter Kyle, presented a Bill to make provision about sentencing guidelines in relation to pre-sentence reports.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time tomorrow, and to be printed (Bill 217) with Explanatory Notes (Bill 217–EN).
7Street Works (Penalties for Utility Companies) Bill: Presentation (Standing Order No. 57)
Daisy Cooper presented a Bill to make provision for the daily issuance of Fixed Penalty Notices against a utility company which has committed certain offences under the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991; to require the minimum amount of any such penalty to be equal to the costs associated with the issuance of the related Fixed Penalty Notice; and for connected purposes.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 11 July, and to be printed (Bill 214).
8Transport (duty to cooperate): Motion for leave to bring in a Bill (Standing Order No. 23)
Ordered, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to provide for a duty on transport authorities and other specified persons to cooperate to reduce transport disruption and to ensure the effective operation of transport networks; to provide for reporting requirements in connection with that duty; to require the publication of assessments of expected transport disruption resulting from maintenance, construction, and other works related to transport infrastructure and ancillary services; and for connected purposes;
That Dr Ben Spencer, Rebecca Paul and Gregory Stafford present the Bill.
Dr Ben Spencer accordingly presented the Bill.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 25 April, and to be printed (Bill 216).
9Product Regulation and Metrology Bill [Lords]: Second Reading
Motion made and Question proposed, That the Product Regulation and Metrology Bill [Lords] be now read a second time.
Amendment proposed, to leave out from 'That’ to the end of the Question and add ‘this House declines to give a Second Reading to the Product Regulation and Metrology Bill [Lords] because it will provide for regulatory alignment with the European Union, and it has been condemned three times by the House of Lords Delegated Powers and Regulatory Reform Committee as a skeleton Bill which provides, without justification, inappropriately wide powers for Ministers to re-write the regulatory regimes for product safety and the weights and measures of goods by regulations.’.—(Andrew Griffith.)
The Speaker resumed the Chair.
Question put, That the Amendment be made.
The House divided.
Division No. 166
Ayes: 110 (Tellers: Jerome Mayhew, Rebecca Paul)
Noes: 302 (Tellers: Christian Wakeford, Anna Turley)
Question negatived.
Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 62(2)), That the Bill be now read a second time.
The House divided.
Division No. 167
Ayes: 303 (Tellers: Christian Wakeford, Anna Turley)
Noes: 110 (Tellers: Jerome Mayhew, Rebecca Paul)
Question agreed to and Bill read a second time.
10Product Regulation and Metrology Bill [Lords]: Programme
Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 83A(7)), That the following provisions shall apply to the Product Regulation and Metrology 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 Tuesday 20 May 2025.
(3) The Public Bill Committee shall have leave to sit twice on the first day on which it meets.
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.—(Martin McCluskey.)
Question agreed to.
11Product Regulation and Metrology 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 Product Regulation and Metrology Bill [Lords], 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.—(Martin McCluskey.)
Question agreed to.
12Product Regulation and Metrology 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 Product Regulation and Metrology Bill [Lords], it is expedient to authorise the charging of fees under the Act.—(Martin McCluskey.)
Question agreed to.
13Statutory Instruments: Motions for Approval
(1) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Ecodesign for Energy-Related Products and Energy Information (Amendment) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2025, which were laid before this House on 4 March, be approved.—(Martin McCluskey.)
The Speaker’s opinion as to the decision on the Question was challenged.
Division deferred until tomorrow (Standing Order No. 41A).
(2) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Regulations 2025, which were laid before this House on 25 February, be approved.—(Martin McCluskey.)
Question agreed to.
Subject: Trail hunting (Perran Moon)
Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Martin McCluskey.)
Adjourned at 7.50 pm until tomorrow.
Other Proceedings
Lords Messages
15National Insurance Contributions (Secondary Class 1 Contributions) Bill
The Lords do not insist on their Amendments to the National Insurance Contributions (Secondary Class 1 Contributions) Bill to which the Commons have disagreed.
General Committees: Reports
16Crime and Policing Bill Committee
Mark Pritchard (Chair) reported written evidence submitted to the Committee.
Written evidence to be published.
17Third Delegated Legislation Committee
Esther McVey (Chair) reported the draft Cornwall Council (Adult Education Functions) Regulations 2025, the draft East Midlands Combined County Authority (Adult Education Functions) Regulations 2025 and the draft York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority (Adult Education Functions) Order 2025.
Select Committees: Reports
Record of the Committee’s discussions at its meeting on Tuesday 1 April, to be published (Nick Smith).
19Backbench Business Committee
Transcript of representations made on Tuesday 1 April, to be published (Bob Blackman).
20Business and Trade Committee
Industrial strategy: Written evidence, to be published (HC 727) (Liam Byrne).
21Culture, Media and Sport Committee
(1) British film and high-end television: First Report, to be printed, with the formal minutes relating to the Report (HC 328);
(2) The work of Channel 4: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 332)
(Dame Caroline Dinenage).
(1) Armed Forces Covenant:
(i) Fourth Report, to be printed, with the formal minutes relating to the Report (HC 572);
(ii) Written evidence, to be published (HC 572);
(2) Developing AI capacity and expertise in UK defence: Government Response: Third Special Report, to be printed (HC 812);
(3) The UK contribution to European security: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 520);
(4) Women in the Armed Forces: Follow-up: Written evidence, to be published (HC 404)
(Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi).
23Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
(1) Fairness in the food supply chain: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 589);
(2) Fisheries and the marine environment: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 680);
(3) The future of farming: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 527);
(4) Animal and plant health: Written evidence, to be published (HC 611);
(5) Reforming the water sector: Written evidence, to be published (HC 588)
(Mr Alistair Carmichael).
Record of the Committee’s decisions taken at its meeting on Tuesday 1 April, to be published (Steve Barclay).
(1) Disinformation diplomacy: How malign actors are seeking to undermine democracy: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 703);
(2) Correspondence from the Economic Secretary to the Treasury relating to the Office for Financial Sanctions Implementation’s Annual Review 2023–24: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Correspondence from the Minister for Europe, North America and Overseas Territories relating to the Estimates Day debate on FCDO spending: Written evidence, to be published
(Emily Thornberry).
26Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee
(1) Grenfell and building safety: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 780);
(2) Correspondence from the Minister for Local Growth and Building Safety relating to Building Safety Levy: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Correspondence with the Minister for Housing and Planning relating to local development plans: Written evidence, to be published
(Florence Eshalomi).
(1) Police response to the 2024 summer disorder: Second Report, to be printed, with the formal minutes relating to the Report (HC 381);
(2) Implementation of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 616);
(3) Correspondence from the Minister for Migration and Citizenship relating to changes to the Immigration and Nationality (Fees) Regulations 2018 and Passport (Fees) (Amendment) Regulations 2022: Written evidence, to be published;
(4) Correspondence from the Minister of State (Lord Hanson of Flint) relating to the Department’s Spending Review 2025 return: Written evidence, to be published
(Dame Karen Bradley).
28International Development Committee
(1) The FCDO's approach to displaced people: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 525);
(2) Correspondence with the Secretary of State and the Chancellor of the Exchequer relating to reductions to the ODA budget: Written evidence, to be published
(Sarah Champion).
(1) Correspondence from the Minister of State (Sarah Sackman) relating to the reform of local justice areas consultation: Written evidence, to be published;
(2) Correspondence from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede) relating to the Private Law Pathfinder programme: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Correspondence with the Minister for Prisons, Probation and Reducing Reoffending: Written evidence, to be published;
(4) Correspondence with the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Alex Davies-Jones) relating to Section 13 of the Coroners Act 1988: Written evidence, to be published;
(5) Correspondence with the Secretary of State: Written evidence, to be published;
(6) Work of the County Court: Written evidence, to be published (HC 677)
(Andy Slaughter).
Access to the House of Commons and its procedures: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 755) (Lucy Powell).
31Northern Ireland Affairs Committee
(1) Funding and delivery of public services: follow up: First Report, to be printed, with the formal minutes relating to the Report (HC 477);
(2) Conduct of elections in Northern Ireland: Written evidence, to be published (HC 584);
(3) The Government's new approach to addressing the legacy of the past in Northern Ireland: Written evidence, to be published (HC 586);
(4) The operation of the Windsor Framework: Written evidence, to be published (HC 491).
(Tonia Antoniazzi).
32Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee
* This item has been corrected since publication. See the Votes and Proceedings related to Thursday 3 April 2025.
Simon Hoare reported:
(1) That the Committee had agreed that the negative procedure should apply, as proposed, to the instrument titled:
Public Procurement (Revocation) Regulations 2025;
(2) Correspondence from Sir Robert Chote, Chair, UK Statistics Authority relating to UK Statistics Authority Strategy 2025–30: Written evidence, to be published.
33Science, Innovation and Technology Committee
(1) Innovation, growth and the regions: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 538);
(2) Innovation showcase: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 523);
(3) Correspondence with HM Treasury on access to science advice in the Treasury: Written evidence, to be published;
(4) Correspondence with the Department: Written evidence, to be published;
(5) Digital centre of government: Written evidence, to be published (HC 790)
(Chi Onwurah).
Outside employment and interests: Written evidence, to be published (HC 620) (Alberto Costa).
(1) Buses connecting communities: Written evidence, to be published (HC 494);
(2) Managing the impact of street works: Written evidence, to be published (HC 522)
(Ruth Cadbury)
Spring Statement 2025: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 813) (Dame Meg Hillier).
37Women and Equalities Committee
Equality at work: paternity and shared parental leave: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 502) (Sarah Owen).
(1) Get Britain Working: Reforming Jobcentres: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 653);
(2) Pensioner poverty: challenges and mitigations: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 465)
(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))
Resolved, That this House has considered eating disorder awareness.—(Wera Hobhouse.)
Resolved, That this House has considered dentistry in Somerset.—(Anna Sabine.)
The sitting was suspended between 11.29 am and 2.30 pm (Standing Order No. 10(1)(b)).
3Contribution of the Royal British Legion
Resolved, That this House has considered the contribution of the Royal British Legion.—(Dr Luke Evans.)
4Rail services on the east Durham coastline
Resolved, That this House has considered rail services on the east Durham coastline.—(Grahame Morris.)
The sitting was suspended between 4.25 pm and 4.30 pm.
5Relationship education in schools
Motion made and Question proposed, That this House has considered relationship education in schools.—(Helen Maguire.)
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 relationship education in schools.
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
(1) Draft National Security Act 2023 (Foreign Activities and Foreign Influence Registration Scheme: Exemptions for Certain Foreign Power Investment Funds, Education, Government Administration and Public Bodies) Regulations 2025 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Yvette Cooper)
(2) Draft National Security Act 2023 (Foreign Activities and Foreign Influence Registration Scheme: Publication) Regulations 2025 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Yvette Cooper)
(3) Draft National Security Act 2023 (Foreign Activities and Foreign Influence Registration Scheme: Specified Persons) (Iran) Regulations 2025 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum and an Impact Assessment (by Command) (Secretary Yvette Cooper)
(4) Draft National Security Act 2023 (Foreign Activities and Foreign Influence Registration Scheme: Specified Persons) (Russia) Regulations 2025 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum and an Impact Assessment (by Command) (Secretary Yvette Cooper)
Papers subject to Negative Resolution
Civil Legal Aid (Remuneration) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 (SI, 2025, No. 415), dated 27 March 2025 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum and an Impact Assessment (by Command) (Secretary Shabana Mahmood)
Local Authorities (Capital Finance and Accounting) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 (SI, 2025, No. 422), dated 1 April 2025 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Jim McMahon)
Other papers
National Audit Office: Main Supply Estimate for 2025–26 (by Act), to be printed (HC 604) (Clerk of the House)
5Science, Innovation & Technology
* This item has been corrected since publication. See the Votes and Proceedings relating to Wednesday 2 April 2025.
Cyber Security and Resilience Policy Statement (by Command) (CP 1299) (Secretary Peter Kyle)